29th   Today I was at the monthly meeting of the Parish Council Planning Committee.   Members approved the repair, conservation and adaption works to the Warwick Bridge Corn Mill, millrace  and associated machinery by the North East Civic Trust in order to save this iconic building in view of it’s heritage value.   However, they objected to the development off Scotby Road due to access and road safety concerns and to an application for a further gypsy pitch off the bridle-way from Broomfallen Road to Garlands as it conflicts with Policy H14.

1st October   An early morning start to be at the Civic Centre to join the coach for Site Visits to properties that have contentious planning applications coming before the Development Control Committee of the District Council.   In the afternoon I met up with my fellow Parish Councillors for Scotby Ward in order to walk some of the Rights of Way within the ward and to discuss present  and past problems associated with them.   It was a very pleasant and sunny day and we all enjoyed the experience.

2nd   A meeting was held in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre by officers of the County Council and the National Grid on “Vertical Infrastructure”.   This entailed not only Wind Turbines and their siting but also enlarged pylons which will carry the output from the proposed new Nuclear Power Station at Moorside, near to Sellafield on the Energy Coast in West Cumbria to the sub-station at Harker, Carlisle.

3rd   Back to the Civic Centre for the Development Control Committee meeting.   Most of the planning applications went forward with the Officer’s recommendation, however, the application for a Wind Turbine near the village of Great Orton was refused due to the cumulative effect thee being many other turbines in the area and that there was not the need for the height of the proposed turbine.   Also the application for development at Skelton House, Wetheral was deferred as the officer’s report and  the developer’s plans were not in agreement and the applicant’s architect also suggested modifications during her presentation.   This was the seventh modification of the approved plans passed in 2012!!