Archived decisions
ITEM 2
AT A MEETING OF THE LYMINGTON COASTAL AREA ADVISORY PANEL held at Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington on 21 May, 2003
PRESENT:
Councillor A W Rice TD (Chairman) Hampshire County Council
Councillor Mrs P G Banks Hampshire County Council
B. Cook Hampshire Field Association
Councillor Mrs K Heron
Mr B E Buckingham Keyhaven Yacht Club
Mr C J Clark Lymington and District Sea Fishing Club
Mr J Clarke Solent Egg Collectors
Capt. M H Everett Local Resident
Councillor M H J Fidler New Forest District Council
Mr R A Francis South Hampshire Wild Fowlers
Association
Mr P R Gossling Milford Environment Group
Mr R Jenvey Commercial Fisherman, Lymington
Mr P Kelly Environment Agency
Mr T Kermode Environment Agency
Mr R W H Saunders Hampshire Ornithological Society &
CPRE
Mr R S Saunders Marshes Protection Society
Prof. G.S. Smart Solent Protection Society
Mr M G Thomas Noreley Wood and District Society
Mrs S P Wicks Lymington Town Sailing Club
Mr. E.J. Wiseman Local Resident
Mrs F M Wiseman Lymington Naturalists
Mr. M.T. Witt Keyhaven Fisherman's Association
Major Gen. J C Woollett Royal Lymington Yacht Club
The following officers were in attendance:
J. Tickle (Head of Countryside Service); D.W. Carswell (Engineering Manager, Onyx); C. Cuthbert (Recreation and Heritage Department); J. Davison (Recreation and Heritage Department); B. Gwynn (Western Sites Manager); N.J. Hollands (Planning and Development Manager, Onyx); R. Reed (Director of Environment Department).
20 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman welcomed the following members to their first attendance at the meeting:
Councillor Mrs. K. Heron; J. Tickle; N.J. Hollands; D.W. Carswell (Hampshire Waste); Mr. P.R. Gossling (Milford Environmental Group).
21 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November, 2002 were agreed as a correct and signed by the Chairman
22 EFFORD (PENNINGTON) GRAVEL PIT AND LANDFILL UPDATE
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 2 in the Minute Book) regarding the Efford (Pennington) Gravel Pit and Landfill site.
Members of the Manor Farm, Pennington Liaison Panel had visited the Manor Farm and Efford Gas and Leachate site on Thursday 8 May, 2003. It was reported that a turbine was to be installed in the longer term and that this would convert gas into electricity. Consultations were taking place with parish councils and other interested parties. The phasing of site operations was to be amended but would not cause the agreed cessation dates for work on the marshes to be exceeded.
Concerns were expressed regarding the flares and a pungent odour which was associated with the current stage of operations and that this was effecting people resorting to the site and neighbouring properties. It was noted that English Nature were to complete their calculations of water in the recharge ditch in connection with water management on the site. The secretary was requested to write to all panel members inviting them to a site visit to take place at teatime or early evening during the Summer. The New Milton Sand and Ballast Company had indicated that they would be willing to show members their recycling machinery. An application to change the phasing of the filling and restoration of the site was to be made but that this would still be completed by the original target date of 2007, with removal of the equipment and final restoration work to be completed by June, 2008. A representative from Onyx reported on the engineering measures dealing with gas dispersal throughout the life of the site. Initially passive venting would be employed until it would be possible in 18 months time to utilise temporary flares, after which gas would be piped to an electricity and generation station. Attention was drawn to gas smells emanating from the works and across the ancient highway and the coastal path and even reported by properties adjacent to the site. In order that these incidents could be investigated those present were requested that the site office be contacted directly by telephone at the time of these incidents, in order that immediate investigation could be made in the area.
Attention was drawn to the planting in balancing ponds and the effects on ornithology in the area. Planting had taken place on the island and was too dense and not in keeping with the character of the open aspect of the area. The Director of Environment reported that whilst appropriate measures would be considered, the planting had been carried out in accordance with an approved scheme which had placed an obligation on the land owner to maintain the land for the next 5 years. It was agreed that the consultation process should have been wider so that more detailed consideration could have been given to the implications of landscaping during the planning process.
On a general note members requested information on whether it would be possible for the panel to receive copies of planning applications which have been made for development within the ambit of the marshes. The Chairman had been advised by New Forest District Council that all planning applications were posted on their website, the address of which was www.nfdc.gov.uk . The Chairman would continue to monitor these applications as he now received lists of planning applications from all parishes. The information was also published in the Lymington Times on a regular basis. Members requested that all planning applications relating to the area should come to the Panel.
The secretary undertook to consider the possibility of a suitable means of seeking members questions before the Panel met in order that these might be considered. Whilst it might not be possible to guarantee individual answers to individual questions, such a process might go some way to identifying the main areas of concern where technical advice and assurances were being sought, which were within the purview of the Panel. Information was sought regarding the bentonite walls between Cell 4D and the ancient highway. In particular concern had been expressed as to whether gravel extraction had been undertaken beyond the wall at too early a date and if so whether there might have been a danger of seepage onto the marshes. Assurances were given that any extraction undertaken would have been carried out with due regard to the requirements of the bentonite wall construction.
The Panel received a presentation from Mr. Gossling of the Milford Environmental Group regarding Sturt Pond which was becoming overgrown. It was understood that a management agreement had been suggested between the County Council, New Forest District Council and the local parish council? The Chairman was to write to Mr. Gossling regarding a possible solution for the problems experienced.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted and that due account be taken of the point made.
23 LYMINGTON AND KEYHAVEN COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT REPORT - NOVEMBER, 2002 - APRIL, 2003
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage highlighting work that had taken place on the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve during the six months from November, 2002 to April, 2003 (Item 3 in the Minute Book).
The use of volunteers in various capacities on the marshes would have been greatly appreciated. Grazing of stock and scrub management had been maintained on the reserve. A submission had been made towards securing additional stewardship funding from DEFRA until 2013 but notification was still awaited regarding the success of the application.
Some clearance of vegetation had been undertaken upon the islands with a during the Winter months although it would be necessary to return several times in the latter part of the Summer to complete the task. Salinity levels in the lagoons had also largely been as expected during the Winter period.
A request was received seeking replacement of seating on the lagoon with rural materials sympathetic to the location. The Director of Recreation and Heritage undertook to resolve this issue in due course.
An update was given on the progress of Salterns Cottage. Work had started and was well advanced. An architectural solution had been found within the budget to an additional measure which had become evident during construction. The Head of Property, Business and Regulatory Services would speak to an adjacent owner should additional information be required.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
24 SALINE LAGOONS PROJECT REPORT
The Panel received the report (Item 4 in the Minute Book) and a presentation by the Director of Recreation and Heritage summarising the project.
RESOLVED:
That the conclusion of the Saline Lagoon Project under the LIFE Nature Programme be endorsed.
4cM430503