Page 32 - Phonebox Magazine February 2008

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Councillor Debbie Brock
Petsoe Manor Windfarm News
When the Phonebox Magazine went to press last month, the decision had been made by the Development
Control Committee of Milton Keynes Council that officers should issue planning permission to build a wind factory comprising of seven wind turbines and infrastructure at Petsoe Manor Farm, Emberton. I, like many others had great difficulties with the report that the committee received and upon which that decision was made.
Prior to the DCC meeting of December 17th I sought to meet, accompanied by Peter Geary representing BLEW, with the planning officer responsible. We pointed out some glaring omissions and other issues with the report which lead to an unprecedented number of amendments being read out on the night – it was however not nearly enough and BLEW’s input never acknowledged.
As a consequence of what I feel was Milton Keynes’ dire handling of the application and with many grateful thanks to Alderman Ellis who tipped me off, I was able to invoke Rule 15 of Milton Keynes Council’s constitution. This gave the Council the opportunity, if it believed the decision was vulnerable to a legal challenge, to rescind the decision made by the Development Control Committee and ask it to look at the application afresh with a full, balanced set of information and due process done. In order for the Rescission Motion to be acceptable it had to be supported by five councillors in total and I sincerely thank them for their support, they included Cllr Steve Clark, Cllr Sam Potts, Cllr Isabella Fraser, Cllr Amanda Box, Cllr Andrew Geary and Cllr David Hopkins.
The Public Gallery at the Civic Offices was packed for the second time in three weeks as the rescission motion came to Full Council at the beginning of January. Many thanks to all those who attended on each occasion and thank you for all the support you have shown me. Some residents put questions to the Chair of the Planning Committee and others spoke to the motion. I am sorry to report that despite the backing of practically half the Chamber, common sense did not prevail – the motion fell – 22 votes in favour of the Committee sitting again outnumbered by 25 votes against and two councillors who couldn’t decide one way or the other.
At the present time the decision notice has been issued and residents who have been active with BLEW have instructed a solicitor to instigate Judicial Review proceedings against Milton Keynes Council. This could be a lengthy process, but if it succeeds the Council will be forced to judge the application once again. I am sure no matter what your views on wind energy are you would all wish to see the planning process followed properly and to the letter of the law, it must be robust and it must be worthy of people’s trust.
There is no doubt in my mind that in this particular instance, this cannot be said, I will insert a picture of a house right next to the development site, it was not included in the officers report as a property that would suffer significant visual impact by the Windfarm, yet you can clearly see from the Anemometer (wind speed measuring mast) just how close it is. The turbines will be two and a half times as tall and nearly twice as wide and extend beyond the left of the photo – I strongly believe this omission and other properties similarly affected left out of the report downplayed the effect of the Windfarm on properties and residents nearby. This is just one of many concerns there are, I will keep you updated with progress as it unfolds.
Driftway
Driftway has opened, unfortunately even at the end it did not go according to plan – the contractor unceremoniously removed the fencing at either end, loaded it onto the lorry and FINALLY the road was open.
It has been delivered a year late and mostly this appears to be attributable to poor project management. There are most certainly a few lessons to be learnt by Milton Keynes Council over this episode! For those residents who have voiced their concerns to me, I have made sure this stretch of road is included in the gritting schedule.
Open at last – Debbie at Driftway
Bend Signs
An Olney resident contacted me after she was involved in a collision at Uncle Jack’s bend on Lavendon Road; her message to me was that motorists approaching the bend needed more warning. I took this up with the Council and FINALLY it looks as if the warning signs will be installed towards the end of February. This is not before time; as we have seen several accidents around this location recently.
Also promised to be installed in February is a bend sign for the sharp bend between Clifton Reynes and Newton Blossomville, again this is a long time coming and I thank the Newton Blossomville resident for initially raising it with me also in light of his concerns for other motorists.
I will be at the Olney Centre if you would like to discuss any concerns you have on March 7th from 7.30-8.30pm, alternatively please be in touch at any time if you think I can help.
A Safe Way to School
The decision has been made by Cabinet Member Cllr Williams to support an officer decision that a crossing outside Olney Middle School is unjustifiable. Upon my request, he visited the School in
Top of Anemometer mast 50 m
32 Phonebox Magazine