Minutes for joint CVCS/WAG video conference - Thursday 4th
February at 7.30 pm
1. Attendees: - JS, DW, DF, JW, PC, JF, MJ, DK, GB, AvA
2. Apologies. SM, GS
3. Matters arising from the minutes of the previous meetings
covered under the following headings.
4. Alton Planning Applications: - Participants and members are
encouraged to further object to all these applications. DG advises
that Planners at SMDC are covering other duties in the lockdown and
there are delays on determining applications.
4.1. Application for two Lodges, Nabb Lane, Alton -
SMD/2020/0656 (DK/JW): - This is an officer’s Delegated Decision
application. Conservation Officer’s report is however negative. DG
to encourage more local letters to support the Conservation
Officer’s report.
4.3. Proposed Agricultural Building, Little Ranger Youth
Hostel, Greendale, Oakamoor, Staffordshire, ST10 3AS –
DET/2020/0011 (DK/JW): - Objections should be sent in for this
application.
5. Date for the three Moneystone Quarry planning applications
to be heard by SMDC’s PAC is again rescheduled and is now set for
11th March 2021, items relating to the arrangements beforehand and
comments were made as follows: -
5.1. Report on the latest responses to enquiries: -
5.1a. Continuing PAC date changes (DF/JS): - DF reported LL
are keen for SMDC to give a determination in March 2021 but whether
all the documentation/ late reports will be available by then is
unknown at present. He will continue dialogue with SMDC.
5.1b. Fire Safety and Lodge Car Parking issues (DW/DF): - Any
updates are to be advised to LM for her PAC speech.
5.1c. Update on legal status of lab buildings (DW): -
Continuing to ask for precise legal precedent from SMDC.
5.1d. Moneystone Park Development’s Impact on agreed
Restoration plan of 2014 (DW): - Ongoing with letters going back
and forth with SMDC/SCC.
5.1e. Request for access to SMDC Electronic Planning Files
(JW): - Access now granted to files. Link awaited from SMDC.
5.1f. Letter sent to SMDC Chief Executive regarding the
iniquity of 3 mins rule (JW): - The request was turned down by SMDC
however DF will contact the PAC Chair to discuss the issue. DF to
lobby PR on the issue
5.2. Quarry stability and associated Safety issues (DW/JF): -
JF is preparing a blockbuster report which he plans to send to SMDC
in the run up to the PAC. This now looks likely to be end February
as the matter is likely to be determined at the March meeting
5.2a. Letter sent concerning highlighting comparison of
geology problems caused by water on sand, mudstone and shale
(DW/JF): - More letters to be sent on completion of research. JF/DW
reported that that CVCS are in communication with the EA regarding
Q3 designation as an above ground reservoir or a closed quarry
tailing lagoon. JF also reported that there was worrying amount of
seepage of water through the bund above the SSSI. DW also reported
that Climate Change was also an issue and it would also appear that
a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment plan is also required but has
questioned whether this has been prepared by SMDC taking into
account emergency provision for the dam failure at the lagoon.
Continuing.
5.2b - No mandatory ‘State of Quarry Report’ upon cessation of
quarrying has been produced so far (DW): - A forthright letter has
been sent to SCC and SMDC. A response is awaited.
5.2c. - Underwater stability survey request sent (DW/JF): - At
this moment in time there is no available knowledge regarding the
state of the underwater areas of Q3. The proposed rock and rubble
slope has not been stress tested from the point of view that such
dumping will actually stabilise the slope. A request for a survey
to be done has been sent by DW.
5.2d. - Other Churnet Valley landslip areas (Consall to
Denstone) (JW): - Some areas have been identified and have been
pointed out to SMDC. This item will also be taken forward to the
next meeting for further action as necessary.
5.2e. - Quarry 3 water level reduction and fill material
issues (JF): - Concerns have been raised regarding the suitability
of using ‘rock and rubble’ to stabilise the north slope of Q3. SMDC
to be informed.
5.2f. - Leek Post and Times article sent in by (DF): - As
anticipated LL were given space for a comprehensive, albeit
misleading, response. The front page headline was inaccurate and a
correction was displayed in following issue. After discussion it
was agreed not to get into a tit-for-tat contest with the
developer. It was then decided to send letters to the editors of
the Cheadle and Tean Times and the Leek Post and Times regarding
the Moneystone Quarry applications to further our aim of defeating
the 3 planning applications in the former quarry.
5.2g. - Letter to SMDC’s Chief Executive including some of the
issues above with reference to an earlier response from the case
officer that safety was not a planning matter (JS): - SMDC’s Chief
Executive has replied to letter from JS. This merits a response,
which thanks to DW for a comprehensive analysis, will be sent
shortly.
5.2h Woodland buffer issues (DW): - See also items 4.2 and
5.3d. - Letters to SMDC, Natural England, SWT and Woodland Trust on
threats not recognised by SMDC's comment.
5.2i Caravan stability above water (DW/JF): - SMDC to be
informed of major safety concerns regarding the lodges that are to
be situated high above the Q3 deep water lake.
5.2j. Q1 Concerns (JF): - Since of cessation of quarrying, Q1
has now become a newly created wetland and could well be unstable
for the lodge/caravans that are to be sited near to it. It was
suggested by LL that “cut and fill with the quarry’s mudstone will
stabilise the quarry - if it doesn’t get wet”!
5.2k Q3 Road Bridge Stability requirements (DW): - This is
currently being investigated.
5.3. Other Issues: -
5.3a. SWLT and Natural England's response to site meeting and
test pitting results awaited. CVCS has updated them on latest
investigations and urged them to maintain their holding objections
until new safety reports have been made public.
5.3b. Inadequate and outdated reports on tunnel between
quarries 1 and 2 (DW): - If used for movement of infill tor Q3 a
new safety survey will need to be compiled. SMDC have been
informed.
5.3c. Bat survey of tunnel (DW): - Request to be made to
SMDC.
5.3d. New concerns about Key Wood & Frame Wood’s ecology as
well as the continuing Woodland Trust objection (DW): - Plans
submitted will impact on Ancient Woodland and adjacent replanted
Ancient Woodland. PAWS informative states that since 2019 a buffer
of 50m is required around woodland adjacent to proposed
developments.(see also items 5.2h and 4.2)
5.3e. Request for members to write to SMDC regarding 5.3d.
(DW/JW): - Email request sent to members. Discharged.
5.3f. Letter sent to SWLT re new flora and fauna survey. (JS):
- Ongoing..
5.3g. Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) for Trees in WEA etc.
(JW/All): - Individual members are requested to apply for TPO’s for
trees along Whiston Eaves Lane, both on public property and within
the Moneystone quarry. N.B. Any can request TPO’s even for trees on
other people’s property. “Protecting a tree. If you wish to protect
a tree in your area, write to the Planning Authority stating your
reasons, and include a map to aid identification. An immediate,
temporary (six month) TPO can be put in place by the Local Planning
Authority. The Authority would then inform neighbours and
interested parties.” This can be done via the link below:
5.3h. Whatstandwell Caravan Park - Public Inquiry (JS): -
Public Inquiry info to be incorporated into final letters to SMDC
and in PAC speeches.
5.3i. Kingfisher Holiday Park, Skegness removal of older
caravans (JW): - . Letter to be sent to SMDC requesting their
policy on aging lodges/caravans.
5.4. Tactical issues: -
5.4a. Future Moorlands Radio interviews (JS/DW): - Delay on
access due to staff changes and restructuring, likely again from
March. New internet radio Churnet Sound being set up for end
February, we have already been solicited for interviews.
5.4b. Virtual PAC Meeting considerations (All): - We have 6
nominated speakers. All will need to review and update as necessary
their speeches with regard to the Planning Officer’s report which
precedes the PAC by 1 week so could be 4th March
5.4c. Timeline considerations (JW): - All to liase with
JW.
5.5d. Letters to all PAC members (All): - It will be necessary
to send these to their home address close to the time of the
meeting.
6. WAG and CVCS arrangements in the run up to the PAC: -
6.1. Lobbying of all PAC members will be undertaken by AvA, JF
and others. Bullet point are considered best although more
extensive reports may be necessary on key issues.
6.2. Late representation letters are vital and need to be sent
to the Planning Case Officer JC as soon as her recommendation is
visible. Note: This report does not appear in the application files
but is to be found in the Agenda notes for the PAC.
7. Whiston Hall Golf Course update: - There was a lot of
issues raised concerning sending in representations to either SCC
or SMDC about all the following 8 applications at this location.
The applicant does not seem to be respecting any planning protocols
and is proceeding with work before approval is given. This is
unacceptable. It was decided to hold a WAG meeting where WHGC would
be the primary item to be discussed due to the imminence of the end
of the Public Consultation Period. Item 10 below.
7.1. JS will alert KPC and propose a letter to SMDC Senior
Planner BH to have the applications put under the control of 1
Officer. Cllr. James A will be asked to continue his good work on
enforcement actions.
7.2. Whiston residents must be encouraged to write objections
to any and all applications now on file....let’s not forget the
basics...every member of a household over 18 should write their own
letters....contact all local households.... Also, residents are
urged to contact their ward district councillors, James Abberley
and Elsie Fallows. The matter is to be raised at the next Kingsley
Parish Council. DF /JS. N.B. Current Case Officers are shown
in square brackets below: -
7.2a. Reprofiling (JS): - No further activity at present on
SCC’s planning website.
7.2b SMD/2019/0527, Completion of existing structures to form
two holiday lets [AB] (All): -
7.2c. SMD/2020/0007, 1 new Bungalow. [LJ] (All): -
7.2d. SMD/2020/0735, 6 new home conversions. [AS] (All):
-
7.2e. SMD/2020/0738, New Caravans, Whiston Fisheries Blakeley
Lane. [BH] (All): - Concerns regarding power connection at the
caravans. Concerns about discharge of human waste from caravans. No
applications made for newly installed septic tanks.
7.2f. SMD/2020/0739, New Agricultural Building (Certificate of
Lawfulness) [AS] (All): -
7.2g. SMD/2021/0040, Proposed Carpark Extension [AS] (All):
-
7.2h SMD/2021/0056, New Agricultural Shed [AS] (All): -
8. AONB Letter to Karen Bradley MP reply awaited. (JS): -
Ongoing
9. Any Other Business: - None raised.
10. Date Next Meeting: -
10.1. Date for next WAG virtual audio meeting 7:30pm, Thursday
11th February 2021
10.2. Date for next CVCS Zoom meeting 7:30pm, Thursday 4th
March 2021.
