Archived decisions

                      ITEM 1

AT A MEETING of the LYMINGTON COASTAL AREA ADVISORY PANEL held at Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington on 6 November 2002.

PRESENT:

Councillor A W Rice TD (Chairman) Hampshire County Council

Councillor Mrs P G Banks Hampshire County Council

Mr T Burch Environment Agency

Mr C J Clark Lymington & District Sea Fishing Club

Mr J Clarke Solent Egg Collectors

Mr R Chapman Hampshire Wildlife Trust

Mr E W Collins Lymington Society

Mrs R Cook Hampshire Field Club

Mr T Cosgrove English Nature

Councillor M H G Fidler New Forest District Council

Mr C J Harris Lymington Harbour Commission

Mr R Jenvy Commercial Fisherman, Lymington

Mr T Kermode Environment Agency

Councillor J K Nesbitt Lymington and Pennington Town Council

Mr R F Russell Keyhaven Fishermans Association

Mr RWH Saunders Hampshire Ornithological Society & CPRE

Professor A.D.G Smart CBE Solent Protection Society

Mr F C Sutton Lymington Society

Mrs S P Wicks Lymington Town Sailing Club

Mr. E. Wiseman Local Resident

Mrs F M Wiseman Lymington Naturalists

Mr M Witt Keyhaven Fishermans Association

Mr Uniacke Local Resident

15. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2002 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

16. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS


The Chairman welcomed the following members to the meeting:-


Mr Burch, Mrs Wicks, Mr Sutton and Mr Cosgrove.

    The Chairman made reference to correspondence received from Captain Everett, the contents of which were to be fully discussed later in the meeting.

17. LYMINGTON AND KEYHAVEN COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT REPORT - APRIL 2002 TO OCTOBER 2002


    The Panel considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 5 in the Minute Book) highlighting work undertaken on the Lymington and Keyhaven Nature Reserve from April to October 2002 and staffing and management issues.

    The new Senior Ranger had embarked on a wide variety of tasks related to the future management of the Reserve. The services of a mature student had been of great benefit to the Western sites and had enabled the Access and Infrastructure Inventory to be completed. Grazing had been maintained throughout the summer and autumn.

    It would be necessary to examine the effects of stock on the marshes. Work was continuing under the Stewardship Agreement and more land management tasks were being undertaken by site staff. Volunteer help would continue scrub clearance.

    Advice was to be sought regarding the causes of Rush infestation which might be attributed to the construction of the new sea wall. An application under the "Aggregates Levy Scheme" was to be considered.

    A number of issues within the hydrological relationship between the Manor Farm/Efford Mineral Extraction Site and the Lymington - Keyhaven Nature Reserve had yet to be resolved.

    Discussions had taken place with English Nature and the Environment Agency regarding a new sluice outfall at Lower Pennington stream. Work had been carried out aimed at improving salinity levels in the Western Lagoons.

    It would be important to identify gaps in existing knowledge of bird counts and a variety of other taxa before embarking on a renewed management plan for the site. Bird movements continued to be monitored.

    A greater archaeological understanding of the Reserve had been achieved by closer links with County Archaeological staff.

    Guidance was sought regarding the geographical jurisdiction of the Panel. Concerns were expressed at the lack of consultation with the Panel on planning applications. Attention was drawn to the construction and size of a bungalow in Tanners Lane, Boldre. The Chairman was to contact New Forest District Council Development Control Section to relay the Panel's concerns and seek assurances that all Planning Applications would, in future, be referred to the Secretary to enable the Panel to express its views as part of the process.

    Following discussions at the last Panel meeting it was reported that officers were proposing that a maximum of 6 seats be permitted on the Reserve. Captain Everett's objection to the principle of seats on the marshes was noted, together with those of Mrs Wiseman.

    Mr Uniacke was invited to put his views to the Panel. Professor Smart wished that any seating permitted would be sympathetic to the landscape, but not attract visitors in themselves. After much discussion the following was agreed:-

    The location of the seats be permitted at sites agreed with English Nature. For 10, Against 5.

    A proposed low-key and fenced picnic area on Pennington tip was put to the vote and not agreed.

    Investigations were not yet complete into the causes of dead and dying waterfowl on and adjacent to the Reserve. A report would be made to the Panel in due course.

    Correspondence was discussed regarding Salterns Cottage was and the latest details reported. Some re-design work had been undertaken. Building work was to commence in March 2003 and be completed in September 2003.


    RESOLVED:

    i) That the report be noted.

    ii) That a maximum of four seats be permitted on the Reserve at sites to be agreed with English Nature.

18. LYMINGTON MARSHES - COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Panel received a presentation by Dr Andrew Bradbury, New Forest District Council, on coastal management at Lymington Marshes encompassing the following:-

    · Shoreline Management Plans

    · Reviews during the mid 1990's

    · Western Solent Coastal Defence Strategy

19. MANOR FARM (EFFORD) GRAVEL PIT AND LANDFILL SITE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the latest position at the Manor Farm (Efford) Gravel Pit and Landfill Site.

    It was reported that gravel extraction and landfill would have ceased by the end of 2007. Tipping had been completed within Phase 4A and was currently continuing within the northern part of Phase 4B.

    Some damage had occurred to the clay bund between Phases 4A and 4C. The bund was to be rebuilt. Works approved under the pollution management scheme had been carried out during the summer.

    The water management scheme was currently subject to discussion with English Nature and the Environment Agency and a meeting was to be held to finalise responses to the scheme.

    Professor Smart requested information on methane gas flaring on the site and expressed concern at the visual effects at night.


    RESOLVED:

      That the report be noted.

    4CM311202