Marsh Lane Watch
Quieter week this week. Perhaps the salad crop has reached the stage when not attacked by pigeons. Some odour on the straight stretch south of flint wall but not strong enough to report. One instance on Saturday afternoon of all times when there is no activity on site.
Private drinks party for my helpers in the ward. The least I can do given the help they give me.
'Love Story' at Minerva. Pretty thin story line, and oodles of sediment but nicely produced. Full house. Sadly I never made much impact at Radcliffe when a Harvard student. Probably just as well.
Had an interesting discussion about car parking strategy in the Overview and Scrutiny committee. Having given our capital to other projects last year not much left to fund a major increase of car parking space in the centre of the town nor is it desirable given the emissions, congestion that would result. One day someone will have to take park and ride seriously. I shall be pushing it.
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Marsh Lane Watch
Gas guns and single gun shots have been much reduced this week and have broadly conformed to NFU code for their use. Our thanks to the farmers to whom this applies.
Meeting of the Walnut Tree Farm Composting Site Neighbourhood Liaison Group. Good businesslike meeting overall. There had been three reports of odour to the EA over the quarter (one from me on May 17), the most recent being June 7. That day the EA attended at the site and confirmed that there was odour present that was likely to go beyond the site boundary. The level was assessed as three on a scale of five and that would trigger a letter to the owner warning them of infringement under their licence. The EA is investigating the site odour management plan for any failure that day. A possible source was a small amount of salad waste from Ham Farm that had gone anaerobic and that had not been screened out on arrival.
It emerged that salad waste was accounting for up to 30 per cent of volumes processed at the site. From earlier discussion with Langmead Farms (article published in March 2008 in MARRA newsletter states salad waste accounted for 12-15 per cent) Langmead Farms said the salad proportion would be kept within 15 per cent to minimise risk of compost feedstock going anaerobic and causing smell. But is the key factor the condition of the waste on arrival at the site and not the volumes? To be further investigated.
Attended Peninsula Forum at West Wittering. Poor attendance with just 12 consisting of four members, two officers and six PC representatives. But useful discussion on LDF progress and the possible impact of the government's scrapping of regional housing targets which had been driving our LDF. There needs to be some target put in their place to give confidence to local authorities and developers. Over the years we have been delivering about 450 housing units in the district. The regional planning targets we have been working to in the LDF are only 30 above that figure.
For the officers' sake at least the sooner the government comes forward with an alternative the better. Who knows perhaps the whole LDF programme may be abandoned. It has proved difficult for local authorities, ours included, to produce one and only about 50 out of 350 authorities have had theirs approved. The exercise has consumed vast amounts of officer time and local authority cash.
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Marsh Lane Watch
Gas guns and single gun shots have been the issue this week. See below.
Emails to Fleming at Groves Farm and to Langmead Farms from CDC reminding them of the NFU code on bird scarers and the risk of legal action on non compliance. This was in response to my complaint and that of another resident about gas guns starting at 05:30 (NFU code recommends 07:00) and single gun shots as late as 22:30.
This warning appears to have had some effect but will need monitoring.
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Cut down six, yes six, very large Real Ale and Jazz Festival posters on and around the Drayton roundabout and emailed the Council to get the organisers to remove any others in the district or face prosecution.
I am well aware that RAJF gives to lots of good causes (it contributed to the Girls High School appeal a few years back) but it should abide by the law and it has the funds for regular advertising. Enforcement has seen a great reduction in flyposting in recent years. We can't let up on the pressure.
Attended CFT performance of 'Yes Prime Minister'. Brilliantly acted and produced. Not a free seat in the house.
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