Latest from CPRE Lincs
27 April 2010
- extract from a report to CPRE East Midlands Regional Group
1. Consideration of various suggestions for a CPRE Mark. It was resolved to visit two of the proposed sites in the spring.
2. The Chairman reported on the resignation of our Secretary, Simon Haywood, because of work commitments. Community Lincs are covering this role in the interim although we have advertised the secretarial vacancy.
3. It was noted that the last quiz had raised the sum of £849 through the sterling efforts of two of our members.
4. Details of potential housing sites in South Kesteven District suggested as part of the LDF process and our responses were advised to the Committee.
5. It was noted that a response had been made to the consultation from the County Council on its Revised Issues and Options document on Minerals and Waste.
6. Comments had also made on several planning applications although none was of concern.
The Branch Council met on 10 March 2010 when the members were updated on actions taken by the Executive over the previous six months. Discussion also took place on the CPRE Mark, renewable energy and the Lincolnshire Show.
The Executive Committee met on 16 March 2010 when the following items were discussed:
1. Dates were agreed to view two sites suggested for a CPRE Mark.
2. Members were updated by myself on the last regional executive meeting.
3. Several major planning issues were also made known to the Committee and discussion followed on them:
• The "Super Dairy" at Nocton in North Kesteven District where a proposal has been put forward for an 8,100-cow dairy farm on arable land close to several villages. CPRE Lincolnshire was supported by National Office in objecting to the proposals on the bases of the scale of the enterprise, the impact on open countryside, traffic generation and concerns over pollution. There has been a massive national as well as local reaction to the scheme (it was headlined on the Countryfile programme on television) and recently the application was withdrawn because the applicants need to do more work on technical issues to address concerns of the highways authority, the Environment Agency and the Wildlife Trust.
• A major application has been put forward to extend Grantham. The proposed site extends to 56 hectares to the north of the town. It was submitted during the EIP into the Draft Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework. This suggested two other areas which in CPRE's views are more appropriate to the expansion of Grantham. CPRE Lincolnshire has therefore objected to the planning application and asked that it be refused.
• Objection has been raised to a scheme for 8 wind turbines at Manor Farm, Holbeach (South Holland) on the basis that there is already one wind farm in the vicinity and the cumulative effect of two wind farms would have a major intrusive effect on a largely rural, agricultural landscape.
• Members were made aware by Ted Banks of the Flamborough Head to Gibraltar Point Shoreline Management Plan produced by the Humber Estuary Coastal Authorities Group. In general terms the policy for the Lincolnshire is one of continued protection from coastal erosion and coastal erosion at current levels. CPRE has welcomed the report as it resonates with our objectives for the coast.