Agenda item

This item was brought forward on the agenda as the speaker had arrived.

The report which asked Members to consider the position of the Authority in respect to options proposed by Severn Trent Water to increase the supply of water in the Upper Derwent Valley, was presented by the Head of Planning.

The following gave a representation under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Andrew Wheatley - Derwent and Hope Woodlands Parish Council.

The Chair stated that he had received several letters from the public in support of the Authority’s position on the matter and thanking the Head of Planning and the CEO for attending the Parish Council meeting.

A motion to approve the recommendation was moved and seconded.

Members raised the following points:

·         Thought should be given to relevant themes which would engage the public, such as the historic role the site played due to the dam busters and the potential damage to wildlife such as hares.

·         The Authority should speak against the proposal in the most robust terms possible as it flew in the face of both the purposes and the duty of the National Park.

·         Water companies fixing leaking pipes and forming a national distribution network would be a better solution to the issue of insufficient water supply than new reservoirs.

·         Resulting lorry movements would be unacceptable.

·         Removal of organic matter from the existing reservoirs would increase their capacity

·         Paragraph 17- disruption to local communities and to visitors by the works should be added as a concern, particularly as it was likely that public access would be denied for many years

The Head of Planning advised that pressure would be applied to establish if the framework had been properly set up in order to take National Park purposes into account.  More detailed proposals would emerge and further engagement would take place at the “Gate 2” stage in July, at which point Members would be given the opportunity to ratify any decision.  “Gate 3” would be the “preferred option” stage and the scheme aimed to be “shovel ready” by 2029.

Cllr B Woods left the meeting at 12:30.

A vote on the motion to approve the recommendation was taken and carried.

RESOLVED :

To support a holding objection to the Upper Derwent reservoir expansion plans from the National Park Authority.

Cllr Farrell left the meeting at 12.35