Application Update

Nocton Dairy application

This is an important announcement on the current situation with the Nocton Dairies planning application.

A local resident has spoken with a Philip Rowson at NKDC this afternoon and it appears erroneous information was released by their administration staff on 1st December. Both the local resident and I had telephoned the planning department and was advised by a member of their staff that the application was 'Invalid'.

In fact, the application has not yet been classed as 'Invalid' and is still in the process of being validated. The term 'Invalid' has a very specific meaning in planning terms and therefore the information given out in good faith in this blog on 1st December was incorrect, for which I apologise.

The Validation stage is where applications are checked by the Planning Advice Team to ensure that the forms have been completed correctly, the correct fee has been received, and the local and national validation requirements set out in the Planning Application Validation Guide are met.

It seems other Councils also have difficulties with the 'Validation' of their planning applications, with some reporting that up to 60% of those received can be incomplete on receipt, requiring further information to be submitted. This results in considerable delay for applicants, and creates significant additional workloads for staff.

I have been advised that Mr Rowson expects the validation process to be completed "shortly" - at which point it would either be declared "Valid" or "Invalid". NKDC are still receiving information from Nocton Dairies as part of the validation procedure.

For further information, it is recommended that any enquiries be directed to the three senior members of staff dealing with the application, namely Philip Rowson, Nick Feltham or Andy McDonough.

NKDC's validation process:
http://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/section.asp?docId=5366

Best Practice Guide on the Validation Process: http://www.planningmaps.co.uk/images/planning_guidance.pdf

Dairy plan stalls

'A REVISED scheme for a 3,770-cow super-dairy at Nocton is yet to validated by planners.'

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Dairy-plan-stalls/article-2965847-detail/article.html

Nocton Dairy Consultation

Metheringham Parish Council will be facilitating the meeting in Metheringham for the residents of Metheringham on Wednesday 8th December 2010.

Doors open at 6.00pm with meeting starting at 7.00pm.

With the planning application not yet even validated by North Kesteven District Council, one could argue that the publication of documents on Nocton Dairies' own website and organisation of public meetings is somewhat premature.

http://www.macla.co.uk/newsmag/2010/11/metheringham-nocton-dairies-co.html

Locavores Moving the Markets

'An interesting report by Melanie Grayce West about the resurgence of small dairy plants in New York State.'

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/locavores-moving-the-markets/?scp=1&sq=dairy%20farms&st=cse
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