Nocton Dairies Ltd - progress report

Planning Application - 10/1397/FUL

There appears to be more opposition emerging to Nocton Dairies' current plans, compared with that against the original application before it was withdrawn.

The total numbers registered against the original planning application 09/1040/FUL were 1,138 public comments and 173 consultee comments.

When I checked the North Kesteven District Council website this morning, there are already 1,111 responses from the public and 7 from formal consultees... and this doesn't account for all those stuck in the backlog over the Christmas period and haven't yet been posted online... and there are still a number of days to go for responses to be submitted.

I also believe the responses focus more on 'material considerations' this time so should have more 'weight' with the planners.

Why is this I wonder?

• Is it because people are better informed about the proposals, due to the amount of adverse publicity this development has attracted?
• Perhaps it is just that people have had more time to research the aspects of intensive dairying, following withdrawal of the original application?

The responses from the CAFFO leaflets are starting to trickle through and it is also good to see local community organisations responding e.g. the village schools.

I also see one Parish Council has already commented as a formal consultee (24th December), but strangely I can't locate the relevant document.

With the huge amount of correspondence being received, it would be easy for the odd item to 'fall through the net', so if you have submitted a response, it may be worth checking online to see that it has been published.

If it hasn't, it may be worth ringing NKDC planning department to chase it up, although do leave a reasonable amount of time for this to appear online.

Whatever, the number of objections submitted should clearly demonstrate to the Planning Committee the real strength of feeling about this application.

What happens next? 

After the Consultation Expiry Date of 11 January 2011, the planning officers will then move to the evaluation phase, where all the information in their possession is reviewed in detail.

Even at this late stage, the planners can still liaise with the applicants and request more information about the application, so amended information can still be submitted it seems.

I would hope that NKDC will closely observe how this process evolves and where required, give 'neighbours' and consultees a further opportunity to comment on any amendments.

I have extracted the following text from Planning Aid - Sheet 9:

"Local planning authorities normally have a set of criteria based on the size and nature of the development to decide how the decision is made. For all applications the planning officer is required to take into account:

• Whether the application is in 'accordance' (in line) with the development plan;
• Previous case/site history;
• The merits of the proposal; and
• Any relevant comments from you and other consultees"

The 'Target Determination Date' set by NKDC (18th February 2011) seems rather ambitious for such a complex and contentious planning application, especially when the 'Determination Deadline' is not until 11th March 2011.

It would be interesting to find out why this is the case.

Visit the application here: Planning Application 10/1397/FUL

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