The County Council's Development Control Committee today decided to delay a decision on the proposed incinerator at Calvert until after their new Minerals and Waste Core Strategy has come into force.
There will be no decision on the proposed waste incinerator in Aylesbury Vale until later this year.
The proposed incinerator would occupy a 255 hectare site at Lower Greatmoor Farm, have a 95 metre tall chimney, have the capacity to burn 300 thousand tonnes of rubbish every year and include a pit for hazardous waste.
Below is a summary of the representation I made to the committee on behalf of
Steeple Claydon Parish Council:
1. Does Bucks need a 300,000 tonne incinerator ? No.
- maximum annual residual municipal waste is 110,000 - 150,000 tonnes
- disincentive to better recycling
- why should Bucks become a dumping ground for waste from other counties ?
- case for a single incinerator on this scale has not been made
- against policies 10,11 and 17 of the Bucks Minerals and Waste Local Plan
2. Is Calvert the right location for an incinerator ? No
- area of quiet unspoilt rural landscape
- surrounded by SSSIs and local wildlife sites of national importance (Sheephouse Wood, Grendon and Doddershall Woods), Finemere Wood, Decoypond Wood, Romer Wood, Greatsea Wood)
- wildlife includes rare protected species such as the Black Hairstreak butterfly and Bechstein bat.
- part of the ancient Bernwood Forest
- nearby National Trust properties Claydon House and Waddesdon Manor
- would affect 2 listed buildings (Finemere Hill House and Lower Greatmoor Farm)
- inadequate local road network
- although the site is next to a railway line there are no plans in the application to transport any waste by train
- against policies 19 and 24 of the Bucks Minerals and Waste Local Plan
3. Was the option of a single facility at Calvert with the waste all being transported by road approved by the County Council’s preferred options report in 2008 ? No
- the report in Feb 2008 concluded that this option (Option 1A) was ‘unacceptable’ in terms of transport assessment, and ‘unlikely to be deliverable’.
- this option scored the lowest (together with 1 other) out of 34 different options
- the transport assessment stated that this option was one with ‘the highest associated mileage and thus the most associated negative impacts’
- environmental impact of over 100 HGV movements a day
4. Does the proposal agree with the proximity principle ? No
- two thirds of Bucks waste is generated in the south of the county
- most is generated along the M40 corridor
- the best location for an incinerator would be somewhere along the M40
- against policy 30 of the Bucks Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which states:
‘proposals that do not comply with the proximity principle will not normally be permitted’.
Claydon House
Claydon House Gardens
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
AVDC freezes council tax again
Council tax to be frozen for second year running
Aylesbury Vale District Council has voted to freeze council tax for the second year running. The freeze has been made possible by a one-off grant from the government, which is being offered to all local authorities that do not increase their council tax in 2012/13.
It will mean the district council element of residents’ total council tax bill will remain at £131.07 for an average Band D property – which is the equivalent of just £2.52 a week. This helps pay for a wide range of services including housing support, planning, refuse and recycling services and street cleaning.
In developing a budget for the 2012/13 financial year, the council has had to find £2.6 million in savings from its £18 million revenue budget due to reduced government funding and pressures such as the increased cost of utilities (fuel and electricity). This saving is needed on top of the £1.2 million savings delivered to balance the 2011/12 budget. In 2013/14, the council will need to save at least another £1 million to balance the books.
An array of saving solutions have been approved by councillors to allow the council to have a balanced budget position for the next financial year.
Aylesbury Vale District Council has voted to freeze council tax for the second year running. The freeze has been made possible by a one-off grant from the government, which is being offered to all local authorities that do not increase their council tax in 2012/13.
It will mean the district council element of residents’ total council tax bill will remain at £131.07 for an average Band D property – which is the equivalent of just £2.52 a week. This helps pay for a wide range of services including housing support, planning, refuse and recycling services and street cleaning.
In developing a budget for the 2012/13 financial year, the council has had to find £2.6 million in savings from its £18 million revenue budget due to reduced government funding and pressures such as the increased cost of utilities (fuel and electricity). This saving is needed on top of the £1.2 million savings delivered to balance the 2011/12 budget. In 2013/14, the council will need to save at least another £1 million to balance the books.
An array of saving solutions have been approved by councillors to allow the council to have a balanced budget position for the next financial year.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Calvert Incinerator planning application
The Calvert Incinerator planning application is due to be considered by Bucks County Council's Development Control Committee at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on 14th Feb 2012.
Unfortunately it was decided that local District Councillors would have no specific right to speak at this meeting, so I have registered to attend and speak as a member of the public.
An excellent summary of the arguments against the application were submitted to the County Council by AVDC last year:
1. That the proposal conflicts with policies 10, 11 and 17 of the Buckinghamshire
Minerals and Waste Local Plan in that the need for a single energy from waste
plant, of the scale being proposed, to serve Buckinghamshire has not been
established and that proposals for the recycling of waste have not been fully
evaluated and incorporated into the scheme. Further the proposal does not
conform with the proximity principle nor has it adequately addressed the waste
hierarchy principles set out in PPS 10.
2. That the proposal conflicts with policy 19 of the Buckinghamshire Minerals and
Waste Local Plan and PPS 10 in that it would be visually harmful and fail to
ensure the long term restoration of the Calvert Landfill Site.
3. That the proposed plant would constitute an urban and visually intrusive feature in an area of quiet rural landscape harming views across in conflict with advice in
PPS7.
4. That the proposed plant would harm the settings of the Grade II Listed Lower
Greatmoor Farmhouse and Finmerehill House in conflict with advice in PPS5.
5. That the proposed access road to the site would cause serious harm to the
populations of Black Hairstreak butterflies, Bechstein Bats and other protected
species that currently populate the disused railway line between the A41 and the
site; that inadequate surveys have been carried out to fully assess the impact of the
development on biodiversity, in conflict with advice in PPS9.
6. That the proposed access road and noise and general disturbance engendered by its
use by heavy goods vehicles would conflict with policy GP8 of the Aylesbury
Vale Local Plan and would reduce the level of residential amenities to nearby
dwellings to a level below that which they could reasonably expect to enjoy.
It is hard to think of a more unsuitable location for an incinerator than one surrounded by sites of special scientific interest of national importance, at the other end of the county from where most of the waste is produced, with no suitable or adequate access roads, and less than 15 miles from another 300,000 tonne incinerator which has just been given planning permission. To add insult to injury, although it is located right next to a railway line there are no plans under the current contract to bring in any of the waste by rail.
Unfortunately it was decided that local District Councillors would have no specific right to speak at this meeting, so I have registered to attend and speak as a member of the public.
An excellent summary of the arguments against the application were submitted to the County Council by AVDC last year:
1. That the proposal conflicts with policies 10, 11 and 17 of the Buckinghamshire
Minerals and Waste Local Plan in that the need for a single energy from waste
plant, of the scale being proposed, to serve Buckinghamshire has not been
established and that proposals for the recycling of waste have not been fully
evaluated and incorporated into the scheme. Further the proposal does not
conform with the proximity principle nor has it adequately addressed the waste
hierarchy principles set out in PPS 10.
2. That the proposal conflicts with policy 19 of the Buckinghamshire Minerals and
Waste Local Plan and PPS 10 in that it would be visually harmful and fail to
ensure the long term restoration of the Calvert Landfill Site.
3. That the proposed plant would constitute an urban and visually intrusive feature in an area of quiet rural landscape harming views across in conflict with advice in
PPS7.
4. That the proposed plant would harm the settings of the Grade II Listed Lower
Greatmoor Farmhouse and Finmerehill House in conflict with advice in PPS5.
5. That the proposed access road to the site would cause serious harm to the
populations of Black Hairstreak butterflies, Bechstein Bats and other protected
species that currently populate the disused railway line between the A41 and the
site; that inadequate surveys have been carried out to fully assess the impact of the
development on biodiversity, in conflict with advice in PPS9.
6. That the proposed access road and noise and general disturbance engendered by its
use by heavy goods vehicles would conflict with policy GP8 of the Aylesbury
Vale Local Plan and would reduce the level of residential amenities to nearby
dwellings to a level below that which they could reasonably expect to enjoy.
It is hard to think of a more unsuitable location for an incinerator than one surrounded by sites of special scientific interest of national importance, at the other end of the county from where most of the waste is produced, with no suitable or adequate access roads, and less than 15 miles from another 300,000 tonne incinerator which has just been given planning permission. To add insult to injury, although it is located right next to a railway line there are no plans under the current contract to bring in any of the waste by rail.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
East West Rail video
A video to set out the benefits of the East West Rail project has been added to the website and can be seen at the following link:
http://eastwestrail.org.uk/video/
http://eastwestrail.org.uk/video/
Friday, 30 December 2011
Have your say on the future of Aylesbury Vale
How many new jobs and homes should be created in Aylesbury Vale? That’s the big question that Aylesbury Vale District Council is asking residents in a major consultation set to get underway.
Between 1 December 2011 and 26 January 2012, the district council wants to hear what local people, community groups, parish and town councils and other organisations think is the right level of new housing and jobs in the Vale over the next 20 years.
The move comes after the government announced its intention to abolish the South East Plan, taking with it the requirement to build 1,060 homes a year in Aylesbury Vale. This means it will now be down to the council to make these local decisions for our district.
Over the past few years the district has seen an average of 750 new homes built every year. With regional targets set to be abolished the council is going back to the drawing board to look again at what is the right figure for the number of new jobs and homes for the Vale.
AVDC cannot just say that no more housing will be built, as homes will be needed for young people that have grown up in the Vale and older people that want to stay in the area and downsize after their families have flown the nest.
In addition, the council needs to create a thriving and prosperous district, by attracting new businesses to the Vale. New homes will be required so that people can afford to live in the area and not have to commute in and out every day, making congestion worse.
The consultation will put forward four possible scenarios for housing and job numbers for the Vale to 2031, ranging from 4,500 homes up to 13,500 homes. The options are:
• 4,500 to 6,700 homes and 0 to 3,000 jobs
• 6,750 to 9,000 homes and 3,000 to 6,100 jobs
• 9,000 to 11,250 homes and 6,100 to 9,100 jobs
• 11,250 to 13,500 homes and 9,100 to 12,000 jobs
The proposed figures are all lower than the level of new jobs and homes the council had to plan for in the past. They are based on careful consideration of a number of factors including current and future levels of housing need and affordability; predictions about changes in the population, demographics, births and deaths and changes in household size; how the economy may perform; the number of jobs and houses provided over the past few years; how new housing can support the local economy; and a number of other relevant studies and evidence.
Planners have put forward the figures as part of work on a new planning policy for the district over the next 20 years called the Vale of Aylesbury Plan. Planning applications will be judged against this once it is approved and finalised in about two years time.
People are also being asked to comment on how new homes might be distributed across the Vale. The options are:
• Continue past trends: based upon where recent development has taken place in the district
• Economic led: based on economic forecasts for where jobs growth is most likely to occur
• New settlement: based on concentrating homes at one or two theoretical new settlements in the district
• Population and demographic change: based on ten year population trend projections
• Housing need: based on affordable housing needs analysis, putting growth where housing need is greatest
• Maintain work age population: based on demographic need projections
• Urban concentration: concentrating new homes in the more urban areas of the district, which continues the council’s present policy approach
Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We must balance the need to protect the environment of the district with our communities’ jobs and housing needs, and the infrastructure which is essential to make it all work. Building new homes is an emotive issue and it is only right that we go back to the drawing board, look at the needs of our district and ask people what they think is the right number of new houses and jobs for the Vale. I look forward to hearing residents’ views on the options for the jobs and housing numbers we are putting forward.”
To ensure the consultation will engage with as many people as possible, three drop-in sessions will be held so that residents can talk with planning officers about the content of the document. The sessions will take place at:
• Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – Tuesday 10 January, from 3pm to 8pm
• Buckingham Community Centre – Wednesday 11 January, from 3pm to 8pm
• The Winslow Centre – Wednesday 18 January, from 3pm to 8pm
Comments must be received by Thursday 26 January 2012. The responses will then feed into the work on the Vale of Aylesbury Plan, alongside the engagement that the council is currently undertaking with parish and town councils, key stakeholders and technical evidence. There will be a further opportunity to comment later in 2012 as the plan moves forward.
Between 1 December 2011 and 26 January 2012, the district council wants to hear what local people, community groups, parish and town councils and other organisations think is the right level of new housing and jobs in the Vale over the next 20 years.
The move comes after the government announced its intention to abolish the South East Plan, taking with it the requirement to build 1,060 homes a year in Aylesbury Vale. This means it will now be down to the council to make these local decisions for our district.
Over the past few years the district has seen an average of 750 new homes built every year. With regional targets set to be abolished the council is going back to the drawing board to look again at what is the right figure for the number of new jobs and homes for the Vale.
AVDC cannot just say that no more housing will be built, as homes will be needed for young people that have grown up in the Vale and older people that want to stay in the area and downsize after their families have flown the nest.
In addition, the council needs to create a thriving and prosperous district, by attracting new businesses to the Vale. New homes will be required so that people can afford to live in the area and not have to commute in and out every day, making congestion worse.
The consultation will put forward four possible scenarios for housing and job numbers for the Vale to 2031, ranging from 4,500 homes up to 13,500 homes. The options are:
• 4,500 to 6,700 homes and 0 to 3,000 jobs
• 6,750 to 9,000 homes and 3,000 to 6,100 jobs
• 9,000 to 11,250 homes and 6,100 to 9,100 jobs
• 11,250 to 13,500 homes and 9,100 to 12,000 jobs
The proposed figures are all lower than the level of new jobs and homes the council had to plan for in the past. They are based on careful consideration of a number of factors including current and future levels of housing need and affordability; predictions about changes in the population, demographics, births and deaths and changes in household size; how the economy may perform; the number of jobs and houses provided over the past few years; how new housing can support the local economy; and a number of other relevant studies and evidence.
Planners have put forward the figures as part of work on a new planning policy for the district over the next 20 years called the Vale of Aylesbury Plan. Planning applications will be judged against this once it is approved and finalised in about two years time.
People are also being asked to comment on how new homes might be distributed across the Vale. The options are:
• Continue past trends: based upon where recent development has taken place in the district
• Economic led: based on economic forecasts for where jobs growth is most likely to occur
• New settlement: based on concentrating homes at one or two theoretical new settlements in the district
• Population and demographic change: based on ten year population trend projections
• Housing need: based on affordable housing needs analysis, putting growth where housing need is greatest
• Maintain work age population: based on demographic need projections
• Urban concentration: concentrating new homes in the more urban areas of the district, which continues the council’s present policy approach
Councillor Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We must balance the need to protect the environment of the district with our communities’ jobs and housing needs, and the infrastructure which is essential to make it all work. Building new homes is an emotive issue and it is only right that we go back to the drawing board, look at the needs of our district and ask people what they think is the right number of new houses and jobs for the Vale. I look forward to hearing residents’ views on the options for the jobs and housing numbers we are putting forward.”
To ensure the consultation will engage with as many people as possible, three drop-in sessions will be held so that residents can talk with planning officers about the content of the document. The sessions will take place at:
• Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – Tuesday 10 January, from 3pm to 8pm
• Buckingham Community Centre – Wednesday 11 January, from 3pm to 8pm
• The Winslow Centre – Wednesday 18 January, from 3pm to 8pm
Comments must be received by Thursday 26 January 2012. The responses will then feed into the work on the Vale of Aylesbury Plan, alongside the engagement that the council is currently undertaking with parish and town councils, key stakeholders and technical evidence. There will be a further opportunity to comment later in 2012 as the plan moves forward.
Happy New Year from your District Councillor
Wishing all the residents of the Claydons a happy and prosperous New Year, and looking forward to continuing to serve you in 2012. Please do not hesitate to contact me over any local issues which you would like to discuss.
Refuse and Recycling collections over Christmas and the New Year
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s refuse and recycling collections change over the festive period due to the public bank holidays.
Listed below are the holiday collection dates:
Date Revised collections
Monday 26 Dec No collection
Tuesday 27 Dec No collection
Wednesday 28 Dec Normal collection
Thursday 29 Dec Normal collection
Friday 30 Dec Normal collection
Monday 2 Jan Tuesday 3 Jan
Tuesday 3 Jan Wednesday 4 Jan
Wednesday 4 Jan Thursday 5 Jan
Thursday 5 Jan Friday 6 Jan
Friday 6 Jan Saturday 7 Jan
Listed below are the holiday collection dates:
Date Revised collections
Monday 26 Dec No collection
Tuesday 27 Dec No collection
Wednesday 28 Dec Normal collection
Thursday 29 Dec Normal collection
Friday 30 Dec Normal collection
Monday 2 Jan Tuesday 3 Jan
Tuesday 3 Jan Wednesday 4 Jan
Wednesday 4 Jan Thursday 5 Jan
Thursday 5 Jan Friday 6 Jan
Friday 6 Jan Saturday 7 Jan
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Steeple Claydon spire seen through oak trees
Map of Claydon Station
Meeting our local PCSO
Supporting our local businesses
With anti HS2 campaigners in Calvert