Issue - meetings

Report by the Director for Planning & Place (PN7).

The report updates members on an enforcement strategy for Elm Farm Quarry, Stratton Audley to secure the best long-term restoration

It is RECOMMENDED that the Committee notes the update report.

Approved

The Committee considered (PN7) a report on an enforcement strategy for Elm Farm Quarry, Stratton Audley to secure long-term restoration. Mr Periam updated the Committee on an application which had now been received proposing to extend the time period for the completion and restoration in 2020. That would be determined in due course.

Having presented the report Mr Periam responded to questions from:

Councillor Sanders – he confirmed that liability attached to the land and not the previous owners.  Mr Mytton added that with regard to an Escrow Agreement to secure restoration that might have been reasonable at the time of the original application but he considered that would not be the case now.

Councillor Reynolds – the County Council owned a small part of the pit adjacent to the site.

Councillor Roberts – some species of county wide interest mainly flora had been identified and although no proposal had been put forward it would be expected these would be protected under management plans.

Councillor Johnston added that there were some rare species on the site and he agreed with the point in the officer report regarding the importance of protecting certain areas for example calcareous grassland where measures would need to be introduced to prevent the site becoming overgrown with scrub.  Orchids also present on the site would be sensitive to disturbance and would need protection.  

Responding to Councillor Phillips Louise Fox confirmed there had been some surprises amongst the species found and potentially it was a very exciting site.

The Chairman thanked the officers for an excellent and detailed report on a location which presented a significant opportunity for development as a local wildlife area.

Councillor Corkin expressed his gratitude to the Committee for its continued support.  This was an important site locally and a fantastic opportunity for the local community to get involved.  The ecology on the site was special and needed to be at the heart of any development.

Councillor Johnston felt it would be useful for the Committee to see any management plan when drawn up. That would need to bear in mind that the habitat on the site was variable and that some areas would be more resilient to public access than others such as wetland areas.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted.