Extraordinary Meeting, 12 April 2007

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HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the an extra-ordinary meeting of Helmdon Parish Council held on Thursday 12th April 2007
in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 9:30 p.m.
Present:
Councillors Bearman, Brookhouse(Chair), Earl, England, Moody, Spendlove, Watson.
Parish Clerk: Liz Hart
Approximately twenty members of the public were present.
Action
1
Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr Burns (due to illness) and Cllr Smith (recovering from an operation). These were accepted by the meeting.
2
Declarations of interest
Cllr Earl declared an interest as his company supplies the applicant with goods and Cllr
Bearman declared an interest as he carries out work for the applicants.
3.
To be considered for observation:
Location: Organic Waste Treatment Plant, Blackpits Barn, Welsh Lane, Helmdon
Proposal: S/2007/0394/PC – Construction of an anaerobic digestion plant, an in-vessel composting plant, relocation of waste transfer operations, provision of an education centre
Helmdon Parish Council had the following observations:
a) Traffic – the Council would request a FULL TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT be undertaken by NCC to cover the predicted increase in traffic movement, new signage required, possibility of introducing a speed limit of 50 mph from the
Helmdon/Brackley crossroads past the site entrance. Council further requests that
NCC reconsider a roundabout assessment previously undertaken regarding the crossroads.
b) Implementation of a liaison committee – Council anticipates that many of the current issues would be alleviated with the proposed new operation. A liaison committee terms of reference needs to be agreed and all affected parties included within its membership.
c) Council is concerned at the lack of a disposal plan for the increased compost produced.
d) Council notes the increase size of tonnage of the operation and would anticipate it being maintained at that maximum level and any further tonnage increases be subject to a new planning application at which Council would have consultation rights.
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Proposal: S/2007/0382/PC – Storage of Processed Wood Waste (Retrospective)
Cllr Earl declared a prejudicial interest for this application and left the room.
Helmdon Parish Council approved the application whilst noting the proposed hedge with trees as screening of the site as specified in the application should be a planning condition.
Cllr Earl returned to the room.
4.
Proposal to amend Standing Orders clause 2
Cllr Moody proposed, seconded by Cllr Earl that Standing Orders clause 2 (relating to the timing of the AGM in an election year) be suspended until June 2007 pending amendment as it was in conflict with Local Government Act 1972. All were in favour. The AGM and th rd
Ordinary Meeting will now be held on Monday 14 May rather than Wednesday 23 May.
The meeting closed at 9:55 p.m.
Clerk
HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
Report of the Public Meeting called by Helmdon Parish Council held on Thursday 12th April 2007
in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon at 7:30 p.m.
Item for discussion: : Blackpits Recycling Centre, Welsh Lane, Helmdon
– existing issues with the site
– the planning application for expansion of operations
Meeting Chair: Cllr Brookhouse (Vice Chair of Helmdon Parish Council)
Note Taker: Liz Hart (Parish Clerk)
Approximately 40 members of the public were present.
Introduction by Cllr Brookhouse
Cllr Brookhouse introduced Andrew Grant (County Councillor), Dr John Mullett
(Development Director CRS) and Steve Sharratt (CEO of CRS). Apologies were received from Cllr Burns, unable to chair the meeting due to illness.
Cllr Brookhouse informed the meeting of a visit he had made earlier that day with 3 other councillors at CRS’s invitation to a recycling site in High Wycombe. He described in detail the process that had been witnessed highlighting the fact that there was hardly any odour detectable on the site. He emphasised that, in his opinion, good management of such an operation is the key to its success whilst stressing that he was giving his own personal opinion of the experience and was not seeking to influence the audience in any way.
Further Comment by Steve Sharratt
Mr Sharrett stated that the High Wycombe site is a few years old and that the future plans for a visitor centre highlighted the company’s commitment to a well managed, odour free and clean site.
Questions from the Audience:
Danny Moody:
Questioned the requirement for massive investment in the High Heavens site.
Response from John Mullett: the first investment was for in-vessel composting; the second will be to take the product off site. Buckinghamshire CC had collected waste on a modest scale and now that a tonnage increase was sought, a new reception site and more vessels were necessary.
Ken Sekean:
Queried the tonnage increase that the new operation in Helmdon would bring. Also asked if the odour problem should have been foreseen.
Response from Mervyn Humphrey: Current tonnage is 25 000, the additional tonnage would be 30 000 to make 55 000 total. The problems last autumn were due to the high growth of greenery and therefore advice had been subsequently sought from CRS to improve management and efficiency.
Response from CRS: the site has indeed gone through a learning curve and had implemented new technologies to combat problems.
Roger Miles:
Queried the levels of complaints regarding odours at the High Heavens site and also questioned the traffic implications at that site.
Response from Steve Sharrett: Although CRS built the High Heavens site, it did not manage it until 2007 when, following complaints, it was asked by Bucks CC to do so. Since then complaints have fallen from 70 in December to zero in March. Regarding the traffic, the access road is a fairly good one and traffic movements were actually lower as previously the site had been a landfill one. Good management ensured that vehicles did not take unauthorised shortcuts.
David Powell:
Queried who the actual planning applicant was, i.e. who is Swift Renewable Energy and what is its role and relationship with CRS?
Response from Steve Sharrett: CRS merged into Biogroup three weeks ago. Swift is the joint venture between CRS and the Humphrey brothers. CRS will manage the facility currently and in the future.
Response from John Mullett: the site manager and staff will be employed by Swift.
Cec Harrold:
Questioned who would take responsibility for any problems at the site.
Response from John Mullett: The EA licence needs to be in an individual name and therefore would be Mr Humphrey’s responsibility.
Comment from Cllr Brookhouse: The Environment Agency and the State Veterinary Service have different legislative powers of intervention.
Response from Steve Sharrett: Whilst he could not guarantee 365 days of perfectly run operations, any problems would be “glichs” rather than a “pear-shaped” result.
David Powell:
Asked if CRS had seen the latest EA Audit Report on Blackpits which he described as damning.
Response from Steve Sharrett: he had not.
Danny Moody:
Asked whether a vehicle could dump a load on a concrete pad if the site was out of operation for a period of time.
Response from Steve Sharrett: such an action would be unlawful; if the site could not accept a vehicle it would be sent off site. If anyone on site did ever permit such an action, they would be fired by CRS.
Response from John Mullett: the reception hall can take up to one day’s waste which allows time to divert future vehicles to landfill.
Comment from Cllr Brookhouse: at the High Wycombe site a resident’s committee was mentioned.
Response from Mervyn Humphrey: in the light of the Open Days held at Blackpits, this would be welcomed. Two close neighbours to the site have already been approached and agreed to take part in such a group.
Cec Harrold:
Questioned the power that a residents’ liaison Committee would have; could they request a site be closed down?
Response from Cllr Brookhouse: this would need to be discussed at a later date, probably driven by the Parish Council and with a Terms of Reference agreed by all parties.
Response from John Mullett: if CRS turned down a request from such a Committee they would give their reasons.
Denise Green:
Queried how many vehicle movements per day the site would generate.
Response from Steve Sharrett: 100
David Powell:
Commented that Welsh Lane is a fast road – vehicles will be slowing down to turn.
Would appropriate signage and speed limits be implemented?
Response from Andrew Grant: a traffic assessment from NCC can be requested; Helmdon
PCC would need to include this in the consultation document.
John Thorne:
Query regarding the quality of the end product having been found to contain 2-5% of non-biodegradable materials. Stockpiles have a run off of dark liquid in the after rain.
What will be happening between the present time and the new plant coming into operation?
Response from John Mullett: Regarding the impurities, a new screening machine will be implemented shortly. The quoted 2-5% is film plastic received in at the front end of the operation with the objective being to reduce this to a negligible amount; the Humphreys are being advised on how to do this.
The run off liquid is not poisonous – it is liquid fertiliser which the soil needs – the concern is to stop it invading the water courses; there are EA restrictions in place to avoid this.
Alan Watson:
Commented that previously plans had been drawn up for a roundabout at the junction of Welsh Lane and Station Road.
Roger Miles:
Asked what would happen with the plastic already spread on the land.
Response from John Mullett: this cannot be collected
Response from Mervyn Humphrey: part of the original EA licence included accepting MDF, fibre board, and plywood. This proved to be a mistake and now only pure wood is accepted.
The plastic will break down eventually.
Sarah Stubbs:
Queried whether 100 vehicle movements consisted of 50 in and 50 out of the site.
Response from Steve Sharrett this is correct.
Cec Harrold:
Queried why sewage works were able to produce a product with no plastics in it.
Response from John Mullett: the sewage industry is 50 years ahead of the waste recycling industry; it is easier to remove contaminants from a liquid.
David Powell:
Requested details of the plan to get rid of all the compost produced. Why are there piles around Helmdon but not at the High Heavens Site?
Response from Steve Sharrett: the two sites consist of different operations.
Response from John Mullett: it is obvious that there will be more vehicle movements due to recycling; the aim is to seek to minimise “waste miles”. CRS brings expertise from Germany where one site produces 8 million tonnes per year. One third is sold to retail, one third used in landscaping reclamation and one third in agriculture.
Further response from Steve Sharrett: the benefit to agriculture must not be under-estimated.
Due to desertification there is a desperate need to put organic matter back into the soil.
David Powell:
Commented that more outlets would increase traffic movements.
Danny Moody:
Given that the 60 000 tonnes received inwards would produce an end product of 36
000 tonnes of compost and 24 000 of waste liquid, where would this all end up?
Response from John Mullett even if we were to compost all waste produced we would not have enough to spread on the agricultural land.
Response from Mervyn Humphrey: they are in discussion with five farmers to take the end product; there is no shortage of interest as the farmers are obliged to maintain the humus level/soil condition. To reach the desired nitrogen levels, 25-35 tonnes of compost per hectare are required.
Danny Moody:
Expressed concern that the license and planning consents dealt with the site itself rather than the stockpiling heaps and resulting traffic movements.
Response from Mervyn Humphrey: in fact there is tight control over the stockpiled heaps; consent needs to be approved on an individual basis by the EA and detailed analysis of the site given in advance.
Cec Harrold:
Emphasised that he was in favour of recycling but highlighted concerns over the issue of “waste miles” and asked where the inwards product would be coming from.
Response from John Mullett: CRS have analysed a 20 mile radius of the site but cannot guarantee exactly as it is not yet known. They have approached NCC for the contract.
Currently waste is taken from Cherwell DC and SNC.
Cec Harrold:
Queried the noise pollution which would result from putting electricity back into the
National Grid.
Response from John Mullett: this would be minimal as engines are kept in sealed units.
Closing Remarks
Cllr Brookhouse thanked all those who had attended and reminded them that all were very welcome to stay for the Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Helmdon Parish Council at which the planning application would be discussed although they could not take part themselves.
The meeting closed at 9:15 p.m.