Agenda item

RESOLVED:

 That the Strategic Planning Committee noted:-

a.     The content of the report.

b.     The activity across the 3 affected river catchments which was starting to unlock the delivery of housing and affected development which had been on hold due to the need to ensure nutrient neutrality.

c.     The Council’s recent funding bid to the Government’s Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

(Voting: 7 in favour, 1 against, 3 abstentions)

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report, and provided a comprehensive presentation to update members on the work undertaken to achieve nutrient neutral development whilst also supporting housing growth. Some of the key elements of the presentation included information and updates about:

·       A brief overview as a reminder of the situation regarding levels of phosphates present in the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.

·       Nutrient neutrality in Somerset and a reminder of the river catchments and geographical area affected.

·       Updating of the Phosphates Budget Calculator was nearing completion.

·       Regular meetings with key stakeholders were continuing.

·       Reference to a national test case in the High Court (Jurston Farm, Wellington).

·       Creation of phosphate (P) credits.

·       Specific updates regarding each of the river catchment areas – Tone, Brue and Parrett, which included information about the number of planning applications held in abeyance seeking a phosphate solution, and the progress to date.

·       The Council’s recent funding bid to the Government’s Nutrient Mitigation Fund

·       Detail about an Initial Pilot Trial (Salinity Solutions) being installed at Fivehead.

During discussion the Principal Planning Policy Officer, the Assistant Director Strategic Place & Planning, and the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets responded to points of detail raised by members, and some of the replies included information about:

·       The P credits and how more standardising across rural and urban areas may be possible in the future. Also approximately how much a credit equated to in financial terms.

·       The possible alternative land uses for large farms if taken out of production.

·       Data used was from a variety of sources and different agencies.

·       Scrutiny (Climate and Place) were also considering/monitoring the phosphates situation.

·       Wessex Water adding phosphates to the water supply as a treatment.

·       The stage in the planning process when phosphate calculations are done.

·       The Salinity Solutions trial and how scalable it might be as a phosphates solution.

The Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets acknowledged many members and different committees were interested in the progress with the phosphates situation and wished to discuss in further technical detail.  She noted from comments that there were concerns about apparent contradictions in data and information systems. She advised she would discuss the matter outside of the meeting with officers to ascertain a way forward where as many members as possible could be involved in a discussion or briefing about the matter.

Councillor Henry Hobhouse noted that he had been promised briefings with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets but the briefing had not yet taken place.

At the end of discussion, the Chairman proposed that the recommendations as detailed in the report be noted, and this was agreed by 7 in favour, 1 against with 3 abstentions.

RESOLVED:

 That the Strategic Planning Committee noted:-

a.     The content of the report.

b.     The activity across the 3 affected river catchments which was starting to unlock the delivery of housing and affected development which had been on hold due to the need to ensure nutrient neutrality.

c.     The Council’s recent funding bid to the Government’s Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

(Voting: 7 in favour, 1 against, 3 abstentions)