Nocton Dairy Presentation - 16th December 2010
This meeting was arranged by Potterhanworth Parish Council in the Memorial Hall, primarily for their local residents, but some people from Nocton and Wasp's Nest also attended but were few in number.
The Nocton Dairy plans were laid out in an ante-room with display boards in the main hall. People were generally milling around studying the various publications when I arrived.
Peter Willes (Director), David Barnes (Director) and Amy Jackson (Public Relations Representative) were present, along with members of Potterhanworth Parish Council.
Philip Stephenson (Chairman) was to chair the meeting, with Bob Spence (Clerk) taking Minutes.
The meeting was called to order at 7.30 pm, by which time most people were in their seats having been there since 6.30 pm to view the plans. Quite a few people were standing as the Hall was full.
Philip Stephenson gave an outline of the proceedings, explaining that the meeting was for the residents of Potterhanworth and Potterhanworth Booths. Priority would be give to those residents, others would get an opportunity to ask questions at the end if there was time.
Peter Willes was then welcomed and invited to proceed with the Nocton Dairy presentation. This was followed by a passionate presentation from Martin Parry, that went down very well with local residents.
I will not attempt to provide you with a record of the meeting as I trust the Minutes will be published out to the public domain, most probably on the Potterhanworth Parish Council website:
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Potterhanworth/
I can report the meeting was conducted very professionally by all parties, particularly in light of the high emotions and concerns over the development. There were many varied questions from the public, covering the following topics:
- Funding - private investment 'v' EU and UK grants.
- Infections in the herd and contingency plans.
- Welfare of animals- milking regime.
- Pests - rats and flies.
- Traffic impact.
- Environmental - water abstraction and threat to aquifer
- Contracts - fodder; milk.
- Sustainability of the development - who will bear the fall out if this 'experiment' goes wrong.
- Nocton Dairies has clearance for funding of £55 million from the bank.
- Between £1 - £1.5 million may come from renewable energy and recycling grants.
- Aim is still to increase herd from 3,770 to 8,000 cows.
- Anaerobic Digester has separate tanks and dual pumps so if one part fails it can still function.
- Withgill Farm - an expansion for a further 600 cows just been granted planning permission recently.
Update 21st December 2010
Minutes now published here:
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Files/Parish/467/MinutesPublicMeetingNoctonDairiesDec2010.doc
Nocton Parish Council
Metheringham and Potterhanworth have now held their public meetings and I know Dunston are in the final stages of arranging their own public meeting.
All have managed to do this before the expiry of the consultation period on 11th January 2011, despite the festive period fast arriving.
So what about our own Nocton Parish Council public meeting you might rightly ask?
Well I raised this very question with some of our local Councillors only yesterday and can report the following:
- Parish Councillors viewed the plans at North Kesteven District Council offices in Sleaford on Tuesday 14th December.
- Unfortunately, neither the Chairperson (Councillor Elaine Storr) and Vice-Chairperson (Councillor Deborah Wilson) are available before the 11th January 2011 for a meeting to be arranged.
- The Clerk to the Parish Council (Doreen Green) is not available either for a couple of weeks.
- The Parish Councillors have provisionally agreed to meet to discuss the plans on 23rd December and to prepare a draft response before the holiday period starts.
- Therefore, there is a only a provisional agreement to hold a public meeting on 19th January 2011 - which you will note is after the closing date for consultation on the plans (11th January 2011).
Considering our Parish Council have known about this planning application for quite some time now, I can't understand why this delay has occurred, especially as other Parish Councils have been able to organise their proceedings.
This is probably the most important single issue that has faced our community in many years, and one really has to ask how this situation has been allowed to arise - it is most disappointing.
Nocton Dairies decision expected in March
'A DECISION on Nocton Dairies’ plans for a 3,770-cow unit in Lincolnshire is expected in March, after the planning application was finally validated at the end of last week.'
http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/hot-topics/super-dairies/nocton-dairies-decision-expected-in-march/36192.article
My view is don't hold your breath for March - I believe the Nocton Dairies' saga may yet continue much beyond that. This planning application has been and continues to be so contentious... I wouldn't be surprised if it gets 'called-in' by Secretary of State.
North Kesteven District Council will probably have to be given the opportunity to consider the application first though, taking account of all consultee responses and drafting the planning report for Committee deliberation.
its always been the same with the original Nocton Parish councillors (with the exception of a few that have residents views at heart; i need not mention names :), it seems 'heads are still stuck in the sand' and things haven't changed, ignore the facts and hold out until its too late to listen to residents! Some obviously just don't understand the consequences in full of not being on the ball. They still haven't grasped the fact they should be representing residents views not just their own! Nocton Parish council needs to have more 'fresh blood' joining the ones I need not mention :) on its panel and bring the PC into the 21st century! Seems now Dunston and Potterhanworth PC's are putting Nocton PC to shame. One gets the feeling Howard still holds the ace card with many in Nocton.
ReplyDeleteI can understand and sympathise with Geoff's frustration - although the situation has not, course, been helped by the unfortunate timing of the submission and validation of the application over the Christmas and New Year period. However, I am happy to confirm that arrangements have now been made for the Parish Council to host a meeting between Nocton residents and representatives of Nocton Dairies (ND) in the Village Hall on 19th January commencing at 7.30 pm. The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to question ND on its revised plans for its "Super Dairy".
ReplyDeleteAs Geoff has mentioned, the NKDC Planning Department has told me that the Parish Council's final response on the application - which will, of course, reflect the comments made by residents at the meeting - will not be prejudiced by its submission after the formal deadline of 11th January. I will, of course, be looking to have this confirmed to me by them in writing!
Notices publicising the meeting will be available at the display of the plans by NKDC in the Village Hall between 1.00 pm and 8.00 pm on Tuesday, 21st December.
Members of the Parish Council will also be meeting informally on 23rd December to consider their initial response to the revised plans. This will, of course, be available before the 11th January deadline.
I would, however, urge residents to make their views on the plans known to NKDC well before the 11th January deadline. There is much information already available publically to help you to do this - and Geoff's blog is particularly helpful in this regard!
I hope residents find this update helpful. However, I am more than happy to be contacted by email(id.goldsworthy@hotmail.co.uk)if further information is required.
Councillor Ian Goldsworthy (Nocton Parish Council)
You are quite right Geoff to assign responsibiliy to myself as well as Elaine and Doreen for not organising a public meeting over the Christmas break. I think my need to look after family concerns is clearly interfering with my duties as the Parish Council's Vice Chair. I am happy to tender my resignation from the Parish Council with immediate effect.
ReplyDeleteD