Wind energy at the PC

The dots on the exploded view of the FCC map (above)  don't actually match up with the positions on the standard scale map, so that doesn't give you confidence.


There was a strong turn out at last night's PC meeting for the report back of the Parish Council Working Party on FCC plans for eight turbines in the Vale, four of them near to Cranfield. 

David Diamond, Peter Gardner and Mark Osman described the potential effect in terms of visual impact, recreational amenity and low frequency sound/health.

The Parish Council voted in principle to support the work of local campaigners in opposing the proposals. I am a sceptic about the impact on recreation and wildlife and there is endless debate about the danger to health. We went through all this with mobile phone masts 10 years ago. However on the precautionary principle I proposed that the PC adopt a 1.5 km (roughly a mile) minimum distance between any turbine and the nearest habitable dwelling, as policy. The idea is to separate turbines and people, while we continue to monitor any health issues. Personally I wouldn't want a turbine or any other large structure opposite my house in Broad Green. But that is on the basis of it simply being overbearing.

There are climate change sceptics out there who just think this is a fad got up by a rigged market. And yes, there are landowners who see it as chance to earn revenue from land of marginal value and applications are coming in indiscriminately. That is wrong. But the energy crisis is bearing down and 20 years from now with coal fired power gone, gas used up and nuclear never started, these big metal birds might be keeping your broadband running. We  need to place them safely and I'm not worried about the view.

I actually don't think the bulk of the village will worry about this but Court Road, East Hills, Rectory Lane, Wood End Road and parts of the High St could be affected if any of the theories about sound stack up and its the PC's job to represent these concerns.

We should be getting CBC's wind energy guidance note coming out of the planning sausage machine some time next month. Then we will see FCC's live application coming in. Hope they get the red dots in the right place. 

6 March FCC public presentation to the PC, 7 pm. Location TBC, watch the blog. 13 March Parish Council surgery on wind energy, location TBC (but probably Holywell school) 

Christmas Market

You will have seen the plans for an ambitious and imaginative 'Christmas Market' in Court Road next month. It involves a TTRO a temporary traffic regulation order in plain(ish) English. This will close Court Road. The following info gives advance notice of this.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Central Bedfordshire Council intend not less than seven days from the date of this Notice to make an Order the effect of which will be to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along that length of Court Road, Cranfield which extends from High Street for approximately 160 metres to the village hall.

This temporary road closure is required to facilitate the holding of the Christmas market and shall apply to such extent as may from time to time be indicated by the appropriate traffic signs.

 

The event is expected to take place on Friday 7th December 2012 from 1.30 to 9.30pm

The alternative routes available for vehicles affected by the proposed Order are:-

Proceed south on Court Road and turn right onto Lodge Road. Continue to High Street, turn right and continue to Court Road and vice versa.

The Order will come into operation on 7th December 2012 for a period of one day. 

For further information please contact Laura Moore of St Peter and St Paul Church, Cranfield.

DATED 22nd November 2012

Central Bedfordshire Council                                                            Basil Jackson

Technology House, Ampthill Road                                                   Assistant Director for Highways

Bedford  MK42 9BD           

Last night's meeting

Minutes of the PC planning meeting approved last night:

Before the meeting started,  a resident of Court Road, reported the problems that she has endured from the contractors delivering to the Home Farm Development.  She is concerned, and has experienced dangerous obstruction and delays caused by the lorries which park on Lodge Road to deliver materials.  When challenged, they become abusive.  She tried to complain at the site office, however, further abuse was received from a worker on site; it is now her intention to take the matter further by contacting Martin Wright Persimmon Homes, to ask that he complies with the legal responsibilities relating to agreed conditions. 

PCllr Mrs D Ball reported that she had met with police to discuss the matter of illegal parking of lorries whilst waiting/unloading, and the abuse given to residents when complaints are made.  Police Officer Keith Glen met with Cllr Ball on site and a warning was given to Mr N Burt, site manager, stating that any lorries parking illegally (not using the designated parking area) would be ‘ticketed’, and that abuse would not be tolerated.  Cllr Ball reported to Martin Wright, however he said that the problems were not due to the behaviour of Persimmon workers therefore he was unable to do anything.  Cllr Ball made it clear that this Council expects him to manage the situation as it is his responsibility.  CBCllr A Bastable undertook to attempt to contact Mr Wright on Thursday 10^th March to follow this up.  Cllr Ball undertook to contact Hannah Pattinson to make her aware of the situation and to ask that she impresses on Martin Wright, the need for him to comply with his legal responsibilities.

Just looking at the Home Farm Development brief (approved October 2005). It says very clearly that the remainder of Lodge Road (beyond access to home Farm) will be retained in its current form with all traffic movements being discouraged.

"There will be no direct access from the development onto Court Road other than for emergency vehicles - private cars will be prohibited from using that route, reinforced by physical constraints."

That seems very straightforward so hopefully if they do get their access down Lodge Road they might remember this paragraph (5.6.9).

My thanks to 'The Lodger' for pointing this one out.