LEVENS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held in the Levens Institute
on Monday 28 February 2011 after the public LDF meeting
Present: R Mason (Chairman), J Watson (Vice Chairman), C Hammond, S Bagot, D Martin, H Burrow, R Atfield, J Watson, County Cllr J Bland and A Kerr (Clerk) 21 members of the public
53/11 To receive apologies for absence
None
Resolved that the apologies be noted.
54/11 To authorise minutes of meeting held on 8 February 2011
Resolved that the Chairman sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2011 as a true record.
55/11 To receive any declarations of interest in items on the Agenda
Item 57/11 Cllr Mason declared a personal interest in planning app SL/2011/0045
Cllr Bagot declared a prejudicial interest in planning app SL/2011/0045
56/11 Adjournment of meeting to receive any matters from the public
Cllr Watson provided background details for the public on what the Parish Council had done so far. He advised speakers that he would follow SLDC planning committee procedures, allowing individuals 3 minutes each to speak and anyone representing a group 5 minutes to speak.
Peter Winter – Mr Winter explained that he represented a group of people, and explained why they were objecting to the proposed poultry unit. Comments were made about the size of the building, the smell that may come from the unit and that the proposed siting of the unit gave little consideration for the neighbours.
Trevor Carey - Mr Carey asked that the Parish Council turn down the proposal, comments were made about the height and siting of the building, the flood risk particularly from sewage and possible pollution of Morecambe Bay with poultry manure.
Chris Schofield – Mr Schofield explained that he is the nearest neighbour to the proposed unit and that if it was built this would severely impact on his families enjoyment of the outside. Comments were made about how this is farming on an industrial scale and that Sampool Caravan site also object.
Pat Finch – Ms Finch made comments about the possible lack of storage for the manure.
Johnathon Mason – Mr Mason (applicant) explained that the time is right for his family farm to diversify and that he owns the land at High Sampool and not at his other farm. He advised that battery farming is to stop in January 2012 which means that egg production will have to done another way or have imported eggs. He explained the drying of the manure process and gave further details on the enriched cages procedures.
Anthea Jones – Ms Jones (representing Mr Mason) advised that discussions took place with SLDC prior to the plans being drawn up and that a proposed turning area has been amended. SLDC have advised that no Environment Impact Assessment will need to be carried out and that amended plans are being drawn up to include results from the noise assessment.
57/11 Planning Application SL/2011/0045 High Sampool – Erection of poultry unit and manure store
Cllr Bagot left the room. Cllr Watson read out the comments that the Parish Council have prepared and asked councilors if any changes were required. Brief discussions on other poultry units that had been visited took place. It was resolved that the Parish Council would not object to the planning application but would make comments to SLDC and ask that they consider the following:
a) increased risk of flooding in the surrounding area
b) the possibility of offensive odor from the poultry unit, particularly when wet
c) the visual impact on the environment, particularly the distance to neighbouring houses
58/11 Matters of information and agenda items for the next meeting
None
59/11 Date of next meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 8 March 2011 at 7:30pm in the Levens Institute, the next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 15 March 2011 at 7:30pm in the Methodist Meeting Room. The meeting closed at 21.30pm.
Signed……………………………………………………….Date…………………
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