Newsletter February 2017
For those of you who have not already heard or attended her recent Thanksgiving Service at St Tudy, it is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Inette Austin-Smith, one of the founder members of our society.
MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 1st MARCH 2017 AT THE SWAN HOTEL, WADEBRIDGE
Enclosed is an invitation to our next meeting at The Swan Hotel, Wadebridge. The speaker will be Ian Kemp, the National Trust’s General Manager for North Cornwall. Amongst other topics, he will update us on the Trust’s plans for the future management of Pentire as well as its recent acquisition of Trevose Head.
Ian has been employed by the National Trust for 19 years, the last 14 of which have been in North Cornwall covering the trust’s portfolio of property between the Devon border and Holywell Bay. I look forward to seeing many of you at the meeting and, as usual, there will be refreshments and a glass of wine and coffee included in the price.
Please return the reply slip and your cheque to Nicola in good time, but at the latest by Friday 24th February.
Following the AGM in October, your Trustees for 2016/17 are confirmed as follows:
| Trustee | Role | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Vyvyan-Robinson | Chairman | (01841) 540511 |
| Jeremy Varcoe | Vice Chairman | (01208) 862954 |
| Richard Field | Planning Representative | (01208) 880121 |
| Martin Saunders | Treasurer | (01841) 520080 |
| Nicola Mundy | Secretary/Membership Secretary | (01208) 812915 |
| Kevin Lawton | (01208) 863375 | |
| Philip Waller | (01208) 873744 | |
| Bill Hebblethwaite | (01208) 880101 | |
| Caroline Rucker | (01566) 86126 | |
Please feel free to contact our Planning Representative Richard Field or another trustee if you have any worries relating to the society’s area of concern. Members are our “eyes and ears” and it is important that you let us know if there are planning issues that you feel should be brought to our attention.
PLANNING UPDATE Wind and Solar
Since the last newsletter, both refused applications for turbines at Pines and Scarcewater Tips, Fraddon have appealed. These are outside our area of concern but, if built, could have an impact on our area because of their position and height and, as they are close to Newquay Airport, will be fitted with very bright red flashing lights, similar to those on turbines near St. Eval, and will be seen at night over a huge area. Details of both application/appeals can be found below:
Pines Tip:
Scarcewater Tip:
Bob Barfoot, who successfully represented the Society against the Davidstow Wind farm applications a few years ago, has been employed to represent the local action group. This action group would be most appreciative if any members felt that they could/should object to either appeal in support.
The appeal for a second turbine at Tremail Farm on the edge of Davidstow airfield was dealt with by the Inspectorate much quicker than expected and has, thankfully, been dismissed.
However, recently there has been an application for a ‘Screening Opinion’ for a 77m turbine at Hendraburnick Farm, Davidstow. The site is to the west of the Launceston A39 junction and would be instead of a much smaller turbine already given permission but not yet built. A ‘Screening Opinion’ asks whether a full application would require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be included. The planners concluded that it does and, as part of the assessment the applicant has to show that a Public Consultation has been carried out BEFORE making a full application. This can be anything from simply notifying neighbours (very few) and Parish Council, to holding a public exhibition locally to explain what is proposed. To date we are not aware of anything being organised.
Should local members hear of any form of consultation/presentation being proposed, please contact Nicola to let us know as early as possible. This is inside our area of concern.
Housing
Recent housing applications are now of concern to the Society and, since the last newsletter, formal applications have been submitted for 2 developments on the outskirts of Wadebridge and another in Blisland village.
Church Park, Egloshayle is an application for 600 houses, primary school and shop. Details can be found here:
Primary concern for the Society is position. The site is on high ground to the north of Egloshayle bypass, much higher than the Camel Trail, Clapper Marshes and the Wadebridge Conservation Areas to the south, and consequently the visual impact on all of these is considered to be major. The Society has objected and will continue to monitor its progress. It is believed that the application will be decided by the Strategic Planning Committee early in March.
The second application is for 450 houses on land at Bodieve. Details can be found here:
This has been opposed by all local councils for various reasons, mostly for lack of infrastructure. Its position makes it much less intrusive in the local landscape, particularly the river valley, so it was decided that the Society would not raise a formal objection at present, although we will continue to watch its progress closely.
An application for 12 houses in Blisland village was submitted just before Christmas. A previous application for the same site was refused and this is a re-application that addresses the reasons for refusal.
The Parish Council supported the previous application in principle and is likely to do so again. We will continue to watch its progress.
Lastly, and of particular importance to members living in the Wadebridge area, the Wadebridge Neighbourhood Development Plan is now available for public comment. It sets out the vision for the future of the area, covering all aspects from housing, employment, transport, schools and much more.
The plan can be studied on line here: http://wadebridge-tc.gov.uk/nhp.html or paper copies are available in the Town Hall and the Library.This is your chance to comment and to shape the future of the area. Without an adopted Neighbourhood Plan, opposing indiscriminate and inappropriate development will become more and more difficult.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE 1ST MARCH 2017
For the few remaining members who still do not pay their subscriptions by annual bank standing order, may I remind you that your cheques should be sent to our Treasurer, c/o Nicola Mundy on or before 1st March 2017 (£10.00 individual, £15.00 joint, payable to CVBMPS).
We always try to encourage members to pay by standing order as it reduces the time and administration that is involved and Nicola will be more than pleased to let you have the relevant form should you decide to sign up to a standing order for next year.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on 1st March.
Richard Vyvyan-Robinson
Chairman
Newsletter in pdf document