Archived decisions

Item 3

AT A MEETING OF THE LYMINGTON COASTAL AREA ADVISORY PANEL held at Lymington Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington on 21 April, 2005.

PRESENT:

38 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed. There were no declarations of interest.

39 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 October, 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 36 - Lymington and Keyhaven Coastal Conservation and Advisory Panel and Management Committee

Professor Smart expressed concern regarding proposals for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Panel were to make its concerns known to New Forest District Council Planning Committee, and request that the policy regarding the area outside the national park be re-affirmed. He was advised by officers that the New Forest District Council (NFDC) had logged the issue.

Mr. Read of the Environment Department reported that N.F.D.C. would need to consider landscape protections.

The use of sensitive measures to control foxes was discussed at length. The importance of instituting culling measures was stressed in order to preserve bird life on the marshes and particularly on the islands. The meeting unanimously accepted that culling could take place for a period of one year initially, after an investigation on the merits of cage v. open culling. The following should be kept in mind:-


· Humane dispatch by marksman.


· Report the effectiveness of the exercise at the next meeting.

Captain Everett had written to the Secretary regarding health and safety issues of walking along the top of the dock walls and remedies available.

The Environment Agency were to replace the lock gate under flood defence measures and it was anticipated that a new bridge would be installed along the lock gates in the summer of 2005. Matched funding would be provided by the County Council and the Environment Agency.

It was hoped that the adjacent footpath would be upgraded to take wheelchairs. After expressing her concerns Mrs. Wiseman was assured that this would have no effect on bird life and that English Nature had expressed satisfaction with the proposals.

Ways of coping with dog faeces was again debated, including the possible use of bins, without producing an urban landscape and incurring a cost of bin emptying.

The County Council was to investigate possible funding for an education and awareness programme for which 75% of the cost might be available for ACESS projects.

Councillor Culver-Williams enquired whether improvements could be made close to Maiden Cottage as the area at Maiden Dock was restricted. Mr. Davison proposed that a kissing gate might resolve the problems of access at that point.

40 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Metcalf to the meeting.

41 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

42 LYMINGTON KEYHAVEN COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT REPORT NOVEMBER 2004 TO APRIL 2005

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 5) in the Minute Book outlining progress since the last meeting.

It was reported that Mr. Gwynn had left County Council employment.

A copy of the new information leaflet would soon be available at information centres and libraries: Copies would also be sent to New Forest District; and Pennington and Milford Councillors.

A visit was to be arranged in mid to late June to visit the Reserve. The Secretary would write with a Monday date and plan.

Professor Smart drew attention to flooding of Passfield.

A new lease relating to Salterns Sailing Club at Eight Acre Pond was about to be signed between the County Council, New Forest District Council and the Salterns Sailing Club. The County Council were negotiating joint use for possible school visits.

The County Council had concluded the purchase of approximately 4 hectares of land adjoining Normandy Farm.

The County Council, New Forest District Council and representatives of Milford Parish Council had met to review the lease and management plan partnership. The partnership were thanked for their assistance. The County was requested to persue with English Nature the possibility of designating the site as a Local Nature Reserve.

The Chairman was to write to the Leader of the County Council expressing the Panel's and Committee's thanks regarding the acquisition of approximately 4 ha of land adjoining its existing landowners Normand Farm.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

43 MANOR FARM (EFFORD) - GRAVEL PIT AND LANDFILL SITE

The Panel received the oral report of the Director of Environment updating on progress with planning applications and the Water Management Scheme.

Mr. Read outlined the main issues:-

1. Extraction

Gravel Extraction of minerals was near at hand at Manor Farm. Cell 4D Gravel extraction would be completed in 2005/06. Permission would expire in 2007, and this deadline was thought be achievable.

ONYX also hoped to finish cell 4C in good time as Marchwood Incinerator was now on-stream.

2. Water Management Scheme

The infrastructure was in place at Lower Farm and included a larger pond and flood storage.

Professor Smart wished to record that local residents would want the 2007 time table for completion of extraction and reclamation to be maintained.

Mr. Read confirmed that these time-scales were included in the planning permission for the site and that restoration and after care would take place in 2008.

The Recreation and Heritage Department would wish to participate at an early stage of the landscaping design.

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