Alan Bailey

BAKERS WASTE APPEAL REFUSED

The Planning Inspector has announced that he has TURNED DOWN the appeal from Bakers Waste on their application to continue working on their Wharf Way site. The County Council had previously refused them planning permission to work permanently at this site after residents had complained of nauseous smells emanating from the site while the company was active under a two year temporary trial period.

IT’S THE RESIDENTS WOT DONE IT!

The Inspector’s 13 page report mentions the weight of the residents’ evidence in several places, eg

“The evidence given by residents to the hearing is that they continue to experience frequent unpleasant odours emanating from the site. I therefore conclude that the operation of the use of the site as a waste transfer and materials recovery facility for the sorting of mixed waste, including a proportion of putrescible waste, has resulted in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of local residents by reason of odours which cannot be satisfactorily mitigated.”

Further:-

“I conclude that the use of the site for the processing of waste contaminated by a proportion of food waste has given rise to unacceptable harm to the living conditions of neighbours by reason of the emission of offensive odours. I do not consider that the harm is capable of satisfactory mitigation through the adoption and implementation of an odour management plan.”

This is an excellent example of residents and councillors working together to achieve a successful result.

COUNTY CABINET AGREE TO DISPOSAL OF HALL FARM ESTATE

Leicestershire County Council have agreed to ‘dispose’ of the Hall Farm Estate, off Hospital Lane. The council’s Conservative Cabinet agreed to the ‘promotion and marketing of the Council land with development potential.’
The Cabinet meeting  approved the disposal of the plan despite having received written pleas to reject the proposal from myself and  the local protest group Land4Life.
This action by the cabinet comes two years after a plan to build 350 houses on the site had been dropped following overwhelming opposition from local people.
In my written evidence I said, “I am very concerned about the disposal of this land for housing development. This is Blaby’s prime area for recreation and walking in the countryside.”
Housing application expected for land off Hospital Lane
It is now expected that, a planning application for housing development will be submitted to Blaby District Council. We do not know when.  If and when an application is received we will immediately let Blaby people know so they can have their say on any proposals.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

A footpath on the Hall Farm land

WORK TO BEGIN ON LITTLE GLEN Rd SPEED MEASURES

Straight stretch of Little Glen Rd

Work will begin in January to install a Vehicle Activated Sign and chicanes on a section of the Little Glen Road between the County Arms junction and the railway bridge. This long, straight stretch of road invites speeding. Some drivers accelerate too quickly along this stretch after having been frustrated in queues at the County Arms. The decision was taken after a consultation with local residents.

COUNTY COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON DISPOSAL OF HALL FARM LAND

At its meeting on Tuesday 17^th January (2pm at County Hall) the Cabinet of Leicestershire County Council will decide whether to dispose of its land at Hall Farm, Blaby. The recommendation from officers is that the land be declared surplus to requirements and that:-  “Approval be given to the further promotion and marketing of the land on the basis of either a promotion or an options agreement whichever provides the greatest potential benefit to the County Council.”

The report also recommends that the County Council should have the ability to “influence any future master plan for the proposed development of the site …………. with regard to the provision of an extension to Bouskell Park, the standard of development  ……  and the protection of the countryside.”

The full supporting paper can be seen on the County Council website:-

http://politics.leics.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=135&MId=3491&Ver=4

When the County originally made public their intension to build 350 houses on the land at Hall Farm there was a massive response from the public who want to protectect this land.

The Hall Farm land is precious to local people. It has footpaths, bridleways and woodland. The land is adjacent to Bouskell Park and is much used by local people.

Because of my personal concerns and those of the public, a year ago I asked the County’s Scrutiny Commission to look at the plans to dispose of the Hall Farm estate. As a result, it was decided that the final decision to dispose of this land should be taken in public by the Cabinet and not in secret by officers: hence this item on Tuesday’s Cabinet’s Agenda.

The decision to be made by Cabinet next week is for the principle of whether to dispose of the land. Any eventual planning application would have to be submitted to Blaby District Council for a decision following public consultation.

LAND 4 LIFE

The local group Land 4 Life are campaigning against houses on the Hall Farm Estate. Their web address is below. There is an excellent account of last year’s Scrutiny discussion on the site.

http://www.landforlife.org.uk

WATCH THIS SPACE

HIGH WINDS PRODUCE MORE ELECTRICITY!

Wind farms supplied 12.2% of UK’s electricity demand on 28 December with the high winds, and an average of 5.3% across Dec/ early Jan.
That saved 750,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the same as taking over 300,000 cars off the road!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CLLR DAVID BILL MBE

Congratulations to Lib Dem Cllr David Bill on his MBE. I’ve fond memories of working and standing with him when I lived in Hinckley in the ’70s. A lifetime of public service by David; standing up for local people.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
I hope that 2012 brings you Peace, Health & Happiness.

DAILY MAIL GETS IT WRONG (AGAIN)

Today’s copy of the Daily Mail is carrying another correction to their coverage of energy bills – specifically the cost of green policies and their impact on consumers.

Don’t be surprised it’s wrong; it’s the Daily Mail!

HALL FARM SITE, BLABY

I have been told today that “it is proposed to report the matter (of the Hall Farm site, Blaby) to Cabinet in January in order to review the situation with a view to adopting a future strategy for the promotion of the Hall Farm site”.

When I hear more I’ll post it on this website.

BAKERS WASTE APPEAL

The hearing was held today for the appeal on the Bakers Waste application on Wharf Way, Glen Parva. Cllr Chris Merrill and I attended together with about 20 local residents. Several residents spoke out. Well done to them. The hearing lasted all day.

When we hear the Inspector’s decision I shall post it on this website.