Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Executive Councillor C J Davie (Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Environment, Planning, Tourism).

Councillor A M Austin requested that a note should be made in the minutes that she lived close to a proposed waste site (Ref No. WA22-BO Riverside Industrial Estate) (minute 23).

RESOLVED

That the minutes of previous meetings of the Environmental Scrutiny Committee held on 12 and 23 June 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to "and City of Lincoln" being added after "University of Lincoln", under No. "1" of the "Officers' responses to comments made by the Committee included" (minute 7).

Councillor J R Marriott stated that he had read a report in the Lincolnshire Echo newspaper about a proposed solar farm being installed on the former waste site adjacent to the Energy from Waste plant at North Hykeham and stated that this was a good use of a brown field site. He understood that a planning application had been submitted for this installation to North Kesteven District Council.

Officers confirmed that the County Council would be a statutory consultee for this application as the highway authority. They agreed that this was a suitable site for this type of development.

Councillor R Oxby stated that he was a member of North Kesteven District Council's Planning Committee and was prepared to forward the views of this Committee to their Planning Committee.

There was support by the Committee for this type of development but some members did not read the Echo, did not know the location or geography of the area and therefore urged caution in any comments of support.

Therefore, it was agreed that North Kesteven District Council should be informed that this Committee supports the principle of installing renewable energy developments on the right sites rather than agricultural land.

(NOTE: Councillor M Brookes requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board as an appointee of Boston Borough Council)

Councillor S M Tweedale did not have any announcements.

The Chairman stated that the proposal to install a wind turbine scheme would not now be proceeding at Nocton Fen and it was noted that the outcome of the appeal against the installation of a wind farm at Hemswill Cliff was awaited.

Officers stated that a report on the outcome of consultations by the Environment Agency on the long term management arrangements for the Black Sluice Pumping Station would be submitted to the Flood and Drainage Management Scrutiny Committee in the Autumn.

(A report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer, which provides a summary of the situation regarding odours from the Ingoldmells and Spalding Sewage Treatment Works)

The Committee received a progress report from Brian Kane, Anglian Water, in connection with the latest situation regarding odours from the Ingoldmells and Spalding Sewage Treatment Works.

The Committee also received a tabled paper outlining the comments received from Maggie Boughton, Clerk to Addlethorpe Parish Council, in connection with the Ingoldmells Sewage Treatment Works. She stated that Parish Councillors and local people had been asked for their views and there had not been much feedback and what feedback had been received indicated that the problems of odour had not been as great as they had been in the past.

Comments by the Committee included:-

1. The reduction in complaints and odour at both plants was welcomed.

2. The report advised that the sewer at Ingoldmells would be able to accommodate an additional 1000 people being connected to the network. However, Members stated that the level of approved housing planned for Skegness would wipe out that additional capacity.

3. Tourism had increased on the east coast.

4. In their comments Addlethorpe Parish Council had mentioned the use of cesspits by some houses. Was it possible for cesspits to affect odour?

5. The importance of educating the public to prevent them from putting unwanted material down the toilet and into the sewer, e.g. grease from retail food outlets.

7. The need for the Committee to visit a sewage plant.

8. Was septicity still a problem at the Spalding Sewage Treatment Works?

9. Did Anglian Water make money from the sale of nitrates?

10. Was Anglian Water aware of the effects of the future growth of housing on infrastructure?

Brian Kane's responses included:-

1. Anglian Water had a campaign of providing education to the public in connection with the disposal of unwanted materials down toilets and the sewerage system and Anglian Water was currently tackling "hot spots".

2. Cesspits at Addlethorpe were not the cause of odour.

3. Septicity was still an issue at the Spalding Sewage Treatment Works and chemical dosing was being used to tackle the problem.

4. Anglian Water sold bio-solids from the process to farmers.

5. Anglian Water had a separate planning department to examine the effects of development on their infrastructure.

6. A series of open days for the public and schools had been reintroduced at Anglian Water's Sewage Treatment Works.

RESOLVED

That Anglian Water submit a further progress report on Ingoldmells and Spalding Sewage Treatment Works in six months time.

(A report by Chris Miller, Countryside Access and Definitive Map Manager,which outlines the role and duties of the County Council in Countryside Access Work)

The Committee received a report in connection with the role and duties of Lincolnshire County Council in Countryside Access work. Officers stated that following the recent review of staffing structures management responsibility for the service now rested with Environmental Services although highways still had a legal responsibility as rights of way were classified as being part of the highway.

Comments by the Committee included:-

1. Problems of access on the coastal footpath which ran from Horseshoe Point to Humberston following the erection of a notice by the Wild Fowler's Trust.

2. The proposal to install a national coastal footpath was welcomed. It was hoped that the part of the footpath between the North Norfolk and North East Lincolnshire coasts would be in place in 2018.

3. South District Holland Council gave their Members a sum of money to spend on individual projects in their own electoral Wards. Was it possible to use this money to help clear rights of way?

4. The improved relations between the Ramblers and the County Council was welcomed.

5. The coastline on the east coast was subject to erosion. Would the location of the coastal footpath be far enough inland to avoid it disappearing into the sea?

6. Parish Councils, through the Parish Paths Partnership, were the best option for ensuring that grass was cut at the most appropriate time.

7. The RSPB had advised not to mow on the sea banks during the nesting season. This problem could be overcome by mowing earlier in the season.

8. A similar problem to that which existed at Horseshoe Point in the north of the county also existed in the south of the county with the presence of cockle beds.

9. The coastal footpath had major economic potential for the county and would lead to increased visitor numbers, e.g. to Gibraltar Point. Was it proposed to make the coastal footpath wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pushchairs?

10. Erosion of the Viking Way needed to be addressed as this was the main footpath in Lincolnshire.

11. The lack of access from Sea Banks to Frampton Marsh.

12. The RSPB Visitor Centre at Frampton Marsh needed to be publicised as it was an excellent site for bird watching.

13. While it was appreciated that it was not located in the county there was an issue with access from the Wash to north Norfolk in the vicinity of the Sandringham estate.

14. The need to replace rotting timber planking on a right of way in the Swaby area of the Wolds.

15. Some of the footpath waymarker signs were missing in the Wolds and as this was a popular destination for walkers what was the inspection procedure to replace the missing signs?

Officers' responses to the comments included:-

1. Councillor A Bridges was requested to email details of the blockage of the footpath between Horseshoe Point and Humberston to officers.

2. Councillor C L T H Brewis's suggestion to spend some of the allocation of the money given to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

(A report by Neil McBride, Development Manager, which presents the preferred mineral and waste sites and areas proposed for progression through to the Draft Site Locations Development Plan Document)

(NOTE: Councillor A Austin requested that a note should be made in the minutes that she lived approximately 200 metres from the Riverside Industrial estate.

Councillor C L Strange requested that a note should be made in the minutes that his daughter and son-in-lawfarmed around the south west of the quarry at Swinderby and he would not comment on this site).

The Committee received a report and presentation in connection with proposed mineral and waste site/area allocation for the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which was the second of two documents which comprised the Plan. The report presented the preferred mineral and waste sites and areas proposed for progression through to the Draft Site Locations Development Plan Document. At this stage the selection was provisional as further information was required for some of the mineral sites. On completion, the Draft Site Locations Development Plan Document would be presented to the Executive for consideration and approval prior to being subject to a period of public consultation.

Officers explained the criteria used to select the various sites, the various consultations with the aggregates industry and local authorities.

Comments by the Committee in connection with the waste sites and areas included:-

1. Were the sites chosen in addition to sites which existed already?

2. Was there a policy already in place in which waste had to go to the Energy from Waste plant at North Hykeham?

3. Management of current waste by operators and how many would send waste to the Energy from Waste plant?

4. Kirton Distribution Park site had not been considered suitable and had caused a public outcry when the County Council previously examined proposals to locate a Waste Transfer Station there to supply the Energy from Waste plant. The site was having success in attracting businesses and if a waste site was proposed here then businesses would not come to the site.

5. The Riverside Industrial site was ideal to use for a waste site/area as it already had a County Council Waste Transfer Station and different types of businesses. Was there zoning of the site for businesses?

6. The Wardentree site, Spalding, was huge and just around the corner from the County Council's Waste Transfer Station although it was noted that there had not been any involvement by members of South Holland District Council by their officers in choosing this site.

7. The use of Clay Lakes and Wardentree sites, Spalding, were supported in principle but additional sites needed to be identified in South Holland as this covered a huge area.

8. Was the site on the A16, Grimsby Road, Louth, an extension of the present site?

9. Concern about the proposed site on land to the west of The Reservation, North Kesteven as this was near a recently approved planning application for a hotel development.

10. The proposed site at Envirotyre, Spalding Road, Sutterton was believed to be in the countryside.

A motion moved by Councillor C L T H Brewis, seconded by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

(A report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer,in connection with the establishment of a Working Group of the Committee to consider issues relating to waste. The formal approval of the Committee to establish a Waste Working Group and to appoint a number of members to that Group is sought)

Because of the limited time available to consider the report in connection with the establishment of a Waste Working Group, it was –

RESOLVED

That consideration of the report be deferred to the next meeting.

(A report by Louise Tyers, Scrutiny Officer, in connection with the latest situation of the Committee's Work Programme)

The Committee received a report on its Work Programme. The Committee was reminded to suggest items for future agendas.

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly.