Thanet Nature Conservation Umbrella Group
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Thanet Nature Conservation Umbrella Group |
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY. 8TH AUGUST 20 AT THE WALPOLE BAY HOTEL. CLIFTONVILLE
(Please Note:- links to background information within the text i.e. (n) )
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
Peter Binding, Phil Scott, E Scott, John Milford, R E Quested, Z Cohen, Shirley May, David Neden, Irene Neden, Eileen Randall, P Verrall, G Roberson, Jean Pain, Bert Windsor, Bernard Clayson, H E Mays, R Hills, Dr Jack Cohen, D Britton, Nigel Collingwood, Joyce McCoy, Brian & Debbie Smith-Steward, P Sayford.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Tony Childs, Gerry O'Donnell, Vera Elliott, Muriel Arnett, Alisdair Bruce, John Gorman, Peter Forrest and David Ledger.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record with an addendum from Vera Elliott.
4. MATTERS ARISING
The Vice Chairman reported that there are no vacancies on the LA21 Steering Group and that it appears that the Steering Group will be reformed at a later date in a different form.
The Chairman felt that there appeared to be a certain lack of dedication at the LA21 Steering Group. This was endorsed by the meeting.
It was suggested that the Chairman write to the Chairman of the LA21 Steering Group, and ask as to why the minutes for the Steering Group are not published on the website as all the other groups are.
Nigel Collingwood reported that the Bank Account is now open, the Chairman announced that a cheque for £50 had been donated by the Pegwell Bay Residents Association (Irene Randall). Several others have also donated money for the account.
5 .PROPOSED RICHBOROUGH INCINERATOR UPDATE
Phil Scott gave a talk on the proposed incinerator site, it would appear that SITA has withdrawn from the old Astra site and are proposing to put in an application for an incinerator on the old Richborough Power Station site. It transpires that a company called Brightstar EDL, have put in a proposal to build a gasification incinerator near Canterbury , and that Canterbury City Council would prefer that Thanet has it. Brightstar already has contracts for waste disposal for several councils, and that we could end up processing the waste for all of Kent and London. The proposals should be made public within three months.
Brightstar is to give a presentation at the Guildhall, Sandwich on Thursday 15th August at 7.30pm. The question was put to the group: Is this group against both of these plants? The unanimous answer was, YES.
It was agreed that the Chairman would write to Sandy Bruce-Lockhart objecting to these plans. There was then an open discussion after the presentation.
See email ref SAGE (1) and a recent updating letter from Phil Scott of SAGE (2).
6. WASTE RECYCLING THANET PILOT SCHEME REPORT ENCLOSED
The Chairman reported that the system appears to work, but that the scheme would only recycle about 7% of our waste.
It was agreed that Nigel Collingwood would write to the Council about the lack of information on the scheme.
Nigel Collingwood reported from the Business Link Proposals that companies have to recycle 40% of their packaging if their turnover is above £5m per annum. Nigel Collingwood said that there would be an exhibition on Recycling and Waste Management at the NEC Birmingham on the l0th to 12th of September and if anyone wished to attend he was arranging a trip.
It was then agreed that the Chairman would write to Councillor Mike Harrison (Cabinet Member responsible for the environment) and ask him if he intended to attend the exhibition.
7 .PLANTING AND WOODLAND PROJECTS IN THANET
The Chairman read out a note from Grant Roberson on this project. (See notes attached) (3)
8. RAMSGATE HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT
Alisdair Bruce sent a resume of his thoughts on the development proposals "The positioning of an aviation fuel (spirit) storage facility is the main cause for concern and I would ask the following questions. What provision has been made to protect the area of Pegwell Bay in the event of a spillage either from the tanks or during delivery?
In Portland Harbour where a similar facility exists and is in the process of being expanded, the company concerned has set up a scientific working group to expand and monitor the response to a pollution event such as above. Detailed plans are in place to spring into action should a crisis occur.
The above should have been covered in the environmental impact assessment (is there one?). If the document exists then there should be detailed information concerning not just the hazard from fuel spillage but also the impact during the building phase on nearby flora and fauna. Has English Nature/RSPB/National Trust been contacted?
Answers to the above need to be precise and detailed from whatever source they come from. Experience in the past shows that our Council gives out vague statements on such developments. On this occasion that will not do.
I strongly urge the Group to put forward a letter addressing these concerns.
The Vice Chairman then reported that a presentation on the development was held in Ramsgate.
It was agreed that the Chairman would write to the Council as to the reach of the triple SSI on Pegwell Bay.
It has now been established that Wiggins/Thanet District Council/Pfizers/Kent County Council have formed a company specifically to elicit grant funds from the EU .
It was agreed that Peter Binding would establish as to whether the proposal is a schedule l or 2 project for the EIA regulations.
9. HARTSDOWN PARK PLANNING APPLICATION
The Chairman reported that the decision to allow outline planning permission for the stadium development at Hartsdown Park was 8 for and 6 against.
The Chairman faxed the Planning Director (see copies and replies) (4) and (5). It was proposed that the tree wardens be approached to put protection orders on the trees affected by the development.
David Mairs (for the CPRE) reported that the 1st stage permission should not have been given and that the 2nd stage had not yet been applied for .
The feeling of the meeting was that they were very unhappy that outline permission had been granted.
It was then agreed that David Mairs would ask advice of the Open Spaces Society and would liaise with the Chairman.
10. MANSTON AIRPORT UPDATE
Peter Binding then gave an update on Manston Airport, where he outlined that there had been several planning permissions granted, for hangers and aprons which should have triggered the EIA as per the DETR guidelines, which say that Manston meets all of the criteria.
He then reported that the Environmental Statement produced by Wiggins was a worthless document.
He also reported that it appears that the freight business at the airport is virtually static, but that Wiggins are claiming this could rise to 200,000 tonnes per annum. Wiggins are also supposed to be in talks with the Council about a new passenger terminal.
He then reported that according to a brokers report (Durlacher) Wiggins had formed a company (The Special Development Company) to apply for £250m of EU grants to enable such developments.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.
11. NEXT MEETING
This will be held on Thursday, 3rd October 2002 at 7.30 p.m. in the Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville.
( Additional information: 'Walking Forum' Monday 23rd September )