Silverdale Parish Council

SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL

Councillors are hereby summoned, and members of the public are invited, to attend a
Parish Council Meeting on 4th September 2017 at 7.30pm, in the Silverdale Institute, Spring Bank, Silverdale, for the purposes detailed in the following Agenda:

1 To receive apologies for absence.

2 To receive declarations of Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

3 To approve the Minutes of an Ordinary Council Meeting held on 7th August 2017.

4 To receive information about matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings, not covered by the Agenda.

5 To hear matters raised by Members of the Public for future consideration. Note: Members of the Council are not permitted to respond, except to ask questions for the purposes of clarification only.

6 To receive a Police report.

7 Presentation (now postponed) / Discussion: County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for County Highways.
a) Lancashire County Highways – Current situation and future vision
b) Maintenance of roadside hedges and verges – To review the County and City provision.
c) Clearing of roadside Channels and Gullies
d) Repairs to road surfaces and road markings
e) A6 and 19 Acre Lane, Yealand Redmayne – Safety of Junction.

8 To receive a report of any relevant matters by City Councillor Nigel Goodrich.

9 To receive a report of any relevant matters by County Cllr. Phillippa Williamson.

10 To receive verbal reports from any meetings attended by Members, or the Clerk (verbal reports are only acceptable where no decision, or action, is required).

11 Planning Matters:
a) To note that the following Planning Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25:
• 17/0108/TPO 39 Emesgate Lane. Crown reduction, thinning and removal of branches to x1 sycamore tree. – No objections.
• 17/00801/AD Gibraltar Farmhouse. Agricultural determination for erection of a portal framed building. -No objections.
• 17/00935/FUL Gibraltar Farmhouse. Change of use of field to install four camping pods and car parking for four cars. (Emailed 16/8/17)
• 17/00967/FUL 19 Shore Road. Erection of a detached shed to the rear. (Emailed 10/8/17)
• 17/0118/TPO 6 The Green. Remove dead branches to x 1 Oak tree. . (Emailed 15/8/17)
b) To consider the following Planning applications:
• 17/00935/CU Change of use of part of field to accommodate four camping pods and a car parking area. (Emailed 18/8/17)
AONB supplies a copy of their response to this application. (Emailed to Cllrs. 22/8/17)
• 17/01014/LB & 17/01013/FUL 3 The Green. Erection of a two storey rear extension and listed building application.
c) To note decisions made by City Council Planning.
• TPO 621 (2017) Relating to Land South of Bank Well, The Row.

12 To receive the Clerk’s report of any action (other than consideration of Planning Applications) taken under the provisions of Standing Order 25:
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Function

13 Insurance Matters
a) Risk Assessment -To approve the updated version.
b) To ensure the insurance cover is adequate. (Insurance doc.s emailed to Cllrs. 16/8/17)

14 Finance
(a) To conduct the monthly check of all money received by the Council (bank statements to be inspected by a Member who is not a Bank Signatory, or more than one such Member – £2513 contribution from L City Council towards running costs of the public toilets.
(b) To authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
• Paul Williams, toilet cleaning, £230, SO
• Envirocare, contractor work, £199.99, SO
• Tim Lambert, contractor, £310.00 cheque
• S Hull, grass cutting, £68.27
• Came and Company, insurance, £1169.84 (or £1111.35, 3 yr agreement) cheque
• L D Challenor, cones £33, cheque
• D Sandiford, Emergency Plan, £18.16

15 Correspondence
To consider the following items of correspondence received since the last meeting and to determine what, if any, action should be taken:
a) To consider the Local Plan Consultation Report: Addendum to Appendix 2 and form a response if required, to be submitted by 15/9/17. (Emailed to Cllrs. 7/8/17)
b) Walney Extension offshore wind farm newsletter – July 2017.
c) Cllr. Williamson supplies a response about the process of reinstating the library. (Emailed to Cllrs. 7/8/17)
d) LALC informs of free entry to the Low Carbon Britain Event to be held in Westminster on 8/11/17. (Emailed to Cllrs. 10/8/17)
e) A reminder from Morecambe Bay Partnership that the deadline for commenting on how to encourage investment in the area is 18/8/17. (Emailed 11/8/17)
f) LALC Supplies information about Kompan Playgrounds. (Emailed 18/8/17)
g) A bereaved family, regular to Silverdale asks if they can place a memorial plaque on a playground bench close to where the deceased once lived. (Emailed to Cllrs 16/8/17)
h) A resident writes to appeal to the Council to take action against the invasion of Japanese Knotweed on Lindeth Road. (Emailed to Cllrs. 22/8/17)
i) A resident writes to comment about the bus service around Silverdale and gives suggestions for improvement to be considered. (emailed to Cllrs. 23/8/17)
j) Mr Jon Charters responds to the Council’s comments regarding Lancashire Fire and Rescues IRMP Consultation and offers to meet with the Parish Council directly.(Emailed to Cllrs. 23/8/17.
k) An invitation to a regional Ordnance Survey public sector mapping agreement event. (Emailed to Cllrs. 23/8/17)
l) Invitation to the NHS Morecambe Clinical Commissioning Group AGM on 27/8/17. (Emailed to Cllrs. 23/8/17)

16 Library
To receive an update and discuss/agree any necessary actions.

17 Streetscape
• To review progress on the renovation of the benches.
• To decide upon the location of the Hankinson family’s proposed memorial bench and determine whether it can be in place for a family occasion at the end of September.
• To consider buying a new Notice Board for the Parish Council for the Gaskell Hall site. To hold 10 to 12 x A4 sheets and with magnetic holders.
• To receive an update on the speed indicator device.
• To agree any high priority actions for the Parish Contractor

18 Health and Safety
To review progress on the Parish Council Health and Safety Policy and other associated documents

19 B4RN High Speed Community Broadband
To receive an update

20 External Service Report
To review progress and add any new works to the report. (See attached)

21 Bus Service
To review current situation.

22 Emergency Plan
To review and plan future actions.

23 Sports and Recreation.
To discuss the results of the article in the Parish Magazine regarding the prupose of the Silverdale Sports and Recreation Group and agree actions.

24 To note any “Items for Information” (no decisions or action permitted)

25 To receive items for consideration for a future agenda.
• Set the meeting dates – November.

26 To note that the date of the next meeting is 2nd October 2017. Items for the agenda and copies of reports, to reach the Clerk before 25th September.

Signed:

Denise Challenor, Clerk to the Council Tel. 01524 761824

4th September 2017
11675 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 4th September 2017.
11676 Present: Chairman – J. (John) Bennett, Councillors T.G. (Terry) Bond, A.J. (Tony) Houghton (from 9.05pm), K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, City Councillor N. (Nigel) Goodrich, County Councillor P. (Philippa) Williamson and 3 members of the public.
11677 Apologies for Absence: Councillors S.L. (Shirley) Mason and D. (David) Sandiford and PC 2675 Massingham.
11678 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Bennett declared an interest in agenda item 11 (planning applications 17/01014/LB and 17/01013/FUL 3 The Green).
11679 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 7th August were approved then signed by the Chairman.
11680 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
11629 (b) – The Clerk advised that Highways have sprayed the stands of Japanese Knotweed on Bottoms Lane, Lindeth Road and Storrs Lane (Yealand Storrs) and they will return to check the sites. Members noted that if any vegetation in areas where there is Japanese Knotweed is shredded the Knotweed will spread; RESOLVED that the Clerk has contacted Highways about this.
11636 – the Clerk reported that the repair of the War Memorial wall was promised for the end of July/ August, but the work has not been carried out yet. RESOLVED that the Clerk ask for a date when the work will be done.
11652 – Members noted that it seems that the litter bins are now being emptied according to the summer schedule.
11655 (o) – The Clerk has written to Highways regarding cutting back roadside vegetation throughout the village.
11658 – The Clerk reported that she has made the annual submission to the Charity Commission for the 3 charities (Watering Places, Quarries and Silverdale Children’s Playground).
11659 – Councillor Williams confirmed that he is checking the hot water temperature in the toilets weekly to ensure that the water reaches a temperature of 60 degrees (to remove the risk of Legionella) and he is keeping a written record of the checks.
11660 – Councillor Bond reported that: he has checked the trees at Woodwell and none appear to be in danger of falling; he has arranged for a working party to cut back the vegetation at Woodwell on 21st September; a solicitor has agreed to help with the registration of the Parish woodlands, quarry and wells with the Land Registry – Councillor Bond will swear an affidavit regarding Silverdale Parish Council’s ownership of the land and the solicitor will waive his charge for witnessing this (the fee to the Land Registry will, however, be around £200- £300); the solicitor has also undertaken to deal with the issue of the ownership of Bankwell for a fee.
11661 – Councillor Bond advised that it is not possible to arrange an electricity supply for the proposed defibrillator outside the Bowling Club via the streetlight. RESOLVED that the Clerk check with British Telecom that the Elmslack/ Cove Road phone box is still available to house a defibrillator.
11664 – Councillor Williams was reminded (in his capacity as a Trustee to the Gaskell Hall) that the Gaskell Hall might be entitled to a free connection to the Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) service and he will mention this to the Gaskell Hall committee.
11667 – Councillor Bennett reported that he has spoken with the Manager of the Co-operative store – the notice asking people not to park outside the store and the use of traffic cones during delivery time (7-9am) is working quite well, but it is important that Highways impose a delivery waiting restriction as soon as possible. Councillor Williamson was present at the meeting and she was asked to raise this with Highways as a matter of urgency.
11671 – RESOLVED that the Clerk press PC Massingham with regards taking action on the parked vehicles etc on Waterslack Road.
11681 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
The following points were raised:
1. the need for parking spaces in the village;
2. a resident has been told that ragwort should not be placed in the green bins or disposed of at the recycling bank;
3. the gullies outside the school are blocked;
4. there are deep channels on Cragg Road which pose a danger to cyclists, especially when filled with water, as road users are unable to see how deep they are;
5. there appears to be very limited liaison between South Lakeland District Council and Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) with regards to co-ordinating transport links across the AONB;
6. complaints about the speed at which buses travel down The Row; a request for the Bus Working Group (when set up) to be vociferous regarding the bus service tying in with the train service;
7. planning application reference 17/00935/FUL (Gibraltar Farmhouse) is not showing on the Lancaster CC website, but 17/00935/CU is; concerns that if successful the application would set a serious precedent and is against the proposed Development Plan Document (DPD); apparently the AONB are strongly against the application;
8. a query as to whether or not all trees that are the subject of a TPO, and are to be felled, are shown in the Parish Council minutes.
11682 Police Report
It was noted that PC Massingham has offered to carry out community speed monitoring with a laser device and he is going to approach Road Safety Liaison Officer (Marc Proctor) about the availability of a Speed Indicator Device (SpID) for use in the village. It was also noted that he had sent a report by email regarding the Carnforth and Upper Lune Valley areas and that no incidents in Silverdale have been reported.
Councillor Bond reported that the RSPB is considering locking the main gate at The Cove overnight on Fridays and Saturdays (on a trial basis) to deter criminal activity at the Cove; Members expressed some concerns at this (e.g. regarding access for emergency vehicles), but understood the reasons for it.
11683 Highways
It was noted that County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) Highways, had been due to be present at the meeting for a discussion about Highways’ issues, but that he had asked to postpone the discussion. RESOLVED that the topics to be discussed should include:
a) Lancs. CC Highways – current situation and future vision;
b) maintenance of roadside hedges and verges – to review the Lancs. CC and Lancaster CC provision; what is Lancs. CC’s budget for this service?
c) clearing of roadside channels and gullies;
d) repairs to road surfaces and road markings;
e) A6 and Nineteen Acre Lane (Yealand Redmayne) – the safety of this junction.;
f) sewage on the shore – RESOLVED to ask Councillor Iddon for a copy of the video or the results following the camera survey.
11684 Report from City Councillor Nigel Goodrich
Councillor Goodrich reported that: 1. a road sign is to be put up at Cove Lane; 2. the DPD will be discussed at the next full Council meeting (27th September); 3. there have been issues with litter at the Cove.
11685 Report from County Councillor Philippa Williamson
Councillor Williamson advised that she will ask Councillor Iddon to attend the October meeting of the Parish Council.
11686 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
None.
11687 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a:
17/0108/TPO 39 Emesgate Lane. Crown reduction, thinning and removal of branches to x1 sycamore tree. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
17/00801/AD Gibraltar Farmhouse. Agricultural determination for erection of a portal framed building. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
17/00967/FUL 19 Shore Road. Erection of a detached shed to the rear. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
17/0118/TPO 6 The Green. Remove dead branches to x 1 Oak tree. It was noted that the deadline for a response has passed.
(2) The following planning applications were discussed and comments made as indicated:
17/00935/FUL Gibraltar Farmhouse. Change of use of field to install four camping pods and car parking for four cars/ 17/00935/CU Change of use of part of field to accommodate four camping pods and a car parking area. Members raised various points of concern as appended to these minutes. It was noted that the AONB have supplied a copy of their response to this application.
17/01014/LB & 17/01013/FUL 3 The Green. Erection of a two-storey rear extension and listed building application. Councillor Bennett had expressed an interest in this and left the meeting whilst the remaining Members discussed the application. The following concerns were raised:
1. the plan doesn’t show where the sewerage system is and how it could be affected;
2. the extension would be where the current parking arrangements are – how would this be addressed? There is concern about future on-road parking (the rear shed is not included on the plan);
3. how access to 4 The Green would be affected.
(3) It was noted that the following decision had been advised by Lancaster CC:
TPO 621 (2017) Relating to Land South of Bank Well, The Row – no objections.
11688 Urgent Action Taken under the Provisions of Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
25b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
11689 Insurance Matters
a) Risk Assessment – it was noted that Councillor Williams is carrying out weekly checks of the hot water temperature and that the document has been revised to incorporate the points made at the last meeting and was circulated with the agenda, RESOLVED to approve the updated version.
b) It was noted that RoSPA have recommended £5M cover for public liability insurance and that the Parish Council is, in fact, covered for £10M. It was further noted that Came and Company have supplied the Council with 3 quotations from different companies. RESOLVED to use ‘Inspire’ by AXA and take the 3-year agreement which reduces this year’s payment from £1169.84 to £1111.35.

11690 Finance
(a) Councillor Bennett conducted the monthly check of all money received by the Council and found the records to be satisfactory. It was noted that there had been the following receipt: Lancaster CC – £2,513 contribution towards running costs of the public toilets.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £230.00 SO
Envirocare (contractor work) £199.99 SO
Mr Tim Lambert (contractor) £310.00 (294)
Mr S. Hull (grass cutting) £68.27 (295)
Came and Company (insurance) £1,111.35 (296)
Mrs L.D. Challenor (traffic cones) £33.00 (297)
Mr D. Sandiford (Emergency Plan) £18.16 (298)
11691 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and circulated:
a) to consider the Local Plan Consultation Report: Addendum to Appendix 2 and form a response if required, to be submitted by 15/9/17;
b) Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm newsletter – July 2017;
c) Councillor Williamson’s response about the process of reinstating the library;
d) LALC inform of free entry to the Low Carbon Britain Event to be held in Westminster on 8/11/17;
e) a reminder from the Morecambe Bay Partnership that the deadline for commenting on how to encourage investment in the area is 18/8/17;
f) LALC supply information about Kompan Playgrounds;
g) a bereaved family asks if they can place a memorial plaque on the playground bench close to where the deceased once lived; RESOLVED: The Council was most concerned to be advised by the family that Ashes had already been deposited in the children’s playground – doing so requires permission of the landowner and in view of the purpose of this land, the Council considers the act inappropriate and would not have given permission. For the same reason, the Council decided not to give permission for a memorial plaque and the placing of flowers in the playground;
h) a resident writes to ask the Parish Council to act against the invasion of Japanese Knotweed on Lindeth Road;
i) a resident writes to comment about the bus service around Silverdale and gives suggestions for improvements; RESOLVED to pass the comments to the Bus Working Group when it is set up;
j) Mr Jon Charters responds to the Parish Council’s comments regarding Lancashire Fire and Rescue’s IRMP Consultation and offers to meet with the Parish Council directly; RESOLVED to respond reminding Mr Charters of the Parish Council’s request for a Co-Responder’s scheme;
k) invitation to a regional Ordnance Survey public sector mapping agreement event. RESOLVED that the Clerk re-send the invitation to Members by email;
l) invitation to the NHS Morecambe Clinical Commissioning Group AGM on 27/8/17.
11692 Library
Councillor Williamson reported that, as far as she knows, it is likely that Silverdale library will be one of the first in the county to re-open – possibly around the end of October/ early November. Lancs. CCs revised strategy will be published on 6th September. Councillor Williamson also advised that Mr Tim Mackintosh’s request (at the meeting with County Councillor Peter Buckley on 19th June) for the Wi-Fi to be turned on at the earliest opportunity has been referred by Councillor Buckley to Lancs. CC Officers.
Councillor Bennett felt that to re-open the library as was would be unsustainable and that opportunities to operate the library as a community/ information hub have been taken away by Lancs. CC; there was some discussion about whether or not the Library Working Group should continue, Councillor Bennett has resigned as Chairman of the Library Working Group, but it was RESOLVED that the Group continue.
11693 Streetscape
1. A security bracket for the Hazelwood bench has now been received and the bench will be reinstalled shortly.
2. It was noted that Mr Hankinson has agreed to a plastic bench in memory of his wife and to paying for the bench to be supplied and fitted. The Wilkinson family, who own the land at Jenny Brown’s Point on which Mr Hankinson would like the bench to be sited, have agreed to this request. RESOLVED that the Clerk order the bench, ask Mr Tim Lambert if he can fit the bench by the end of September and update Mr Hankinson.
3. It was noted that a new, larger notice board at the Gaskell Hall would be useful. RESOLVED that Councillor Williamson discuss possibilities with the Gaskell Hall committee and that this matter be discussed at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
4. RESOLVED to accept PC Massingham’s offer to carry out community speed monitoring with a laser and to try and acquire a SpID.
5. RESOLVED to ask Mr Lambert to trim the vegetation around the base of the benches as necessary, to fit wooden pegs at the end of the slats to the benches on the Shore and to trim the vegetation at junctions in the village where there are sightline problems; Councillor Bennett will provide the Clerk with a list of works for the Contractor.
11694 Health and Safety
It was noted that Arnside Parish Council have employed a Health and Safety specialist and are happy to share their advice with this Council. RESOLVED to defer a discussion on this item until Arnside Parish Council’s information is available.
11695 B4RN
It was noted that there was nothing to report on the B4RN project.
11696 External Services Report
RESOLVED to defer a review of progress until the next meeting when it was hoped that Councillor Iddon would be present.
11697 Bus Service
It was noted that about 6 residents have expressed an interest in joining a Bus-User Working Group; RESOLVED that Councillor Bennett bring the residents together to start monitoring performance and look at ways of improving and promoting awareness of the bus service.
11698 Emergency Plan
It was noted that a team of volunteers will need to be enlisted to carry out the roles in the Emergency Plan organization and that they will require training. A test of community emergency plans will take place at Halton Community Centre on Tuesday, 10th October from 6.30- 9pm. Anyone interested in joining the team of volunteers is encouraged to attend.
11699 Sports and Recreation Committee
It was noted that Councillor Bond had published an article in the parish magazine regarding sports facilities and had asked for villagers to respond to a survey on the facilities that they would like to see with suggestions as to sites; the magazine has a circulation of around 800 and only 3 had responded. RESOLVED that Councillor Bond include a comment in ‘Parish jottings’ in the parish magazine and that the Committee be folded.
11700 Items for Information
1. Councillor Houghton reported that there have been several campers on the Shore who have possibly been directed to the area via a website – he has contacted the website and the Shore and another area in Silverdale, also being used for wild camping, have been taken off.
2. Councillor Ribbons has been told of a house on Cove Lane which has been split into holiday flats possibly without planning consent.
3. Councillor Palmer advised that a resident on Wallings Lane has had problems accessing his property by car due to obstructions by caravans.
4. Councillor Bennett showed Members an official form he has come across which can be used to report damage to post-boxes.
11701 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. Land Registry
2. Set the meeting dates (November meeting)
3. Health and Safety
4. Notice board
11702 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 2nd October 2017. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 25th September.
Sue D. Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council
Appendix 1
17/00935/CU Gibraltar Farmhouse – points of concern:
This appears to be a proposal for a new campsite within the Arnside Silverdale AONB. We understand there are strong policies and commitments already in place, and also within the upcoming AONB Development Plan Document now gaining weight in the planning process, that there should be no more new caravan/lodge sites established within the area.
The proposed site is very close to the existing large Gibraltar Farm caravan /campsite. Whilst this proposal is for “Camping Pods”, it would result in the intensification of similar holiday accommodation in close proximity.
The proposed site is also immediately adjacent to Lindeth Tower which is a significant Grade II Listed building in the Silverdale Parish. No evaluation or consideration of the potential effect on this building, its site or setting has been provided. The view when walking southwards along Lindeth Road from Jack Scout towards Lindeth Tower will be impacted by both the height and location of the Camping Pods and also the car parking adjacent to the boundary wall of the Lindeth Tower site. The Parish Council requests these matters are very carefully assessed.
The site layout drawing appears to be a simple hand drawn pen sketch. The indicated position of the Camping pods suggests a “caravan site” type, close proximity, regimented layout. This is untypical for the proposed type of “eco” facility, where by virtue of their organic shape and natural covering materials, they are normally irregularly and widely spaced to help merge into the landscape as unobtrusively as possible. The size of the camping pods shown in the application: 6.3m long by 3.2m wide by 2.8m high is also relatively large compared to many such buildings. They appear from the scale and internal facilities to in effect be caravan lodge style units. An accurate site plan and also elevations when viewed from the Highway, to a suitable scale, clearly showing the proposed siting of the pods and the location of all the trees on site would appear to be essential to determine that they will in fact fit between the trees with sufficient clearance both to the trees and also have sufficient amenity or decency space and the necessary fire safety separation distances between each Camping Pod.
The stated Pod height of 2.8m before the addition of any “raised timber frame” (as stated in the application – but no height details or specification given) is significant and would result in the overall height of the Camping Pods being raised making them highly visible and intrusive from Lindeth Lane. Since the LCC Highways department has requested a condition that the existing boundary limestone is reduced to no more than 1m high, we consider the proposed Camping pods will be imposingly visible from the adjoining lane.
Wastewater disposal arrangements are a significant concern for the proposed site. There is no public Wastewater system available in the Silverdale area and non-proposed in the regional water company’s forward plan. As indicated in the application, a private Wastewater system would have to be provided. The Environment Agency (EA) requirements that apply for such systems are set out in the EA General Binding Rules: Small sewage discharge to the ground (2015 updated version)
Whilst it is a relatively simple matter to locate a proprietary packaged wastewater treatment plant within the curtilage of the proposed site, in the absence of a suitable running water course which is the situation here, all currently available treatment plants mandate on their outflow, a tertiary treatment and ground infiltration system. This is necessary to achieve the required standard of final discharge in order to avoid polluting the ground water system and creating a risk of harm to human health and the natural environment. This planning proposal does not include such a facility. It indicates that the outflow from the treatment plant would be lead to a “soakaway pit” located close to the plant. It is considered that this does not meet the requirements of the EA General Binding Rules.
BS 6297 (latest version) specifies the requirements for a suitable tertiary treatment and ground infiltration system. One of the greatest difficulties in the Silverdale district is providing the relatively large area of reasonably level ground together with suitable soil/bedrock conditions for the mandatory tertiary treatment and infiltration system. This appears to be an issue for this proposed site, the topography suggesting that ground engineering works of some scale may be necessary to create a suitable plateau on the undulating terrain. It is understood that such ground engineering works require specific planning permission. If reference is made to Lancaster City Council planning application 15/01400/Ful relating to Whinney Fold, Silverdale, drawing number 00860294.pdf — Flood Risk and Drainage Fig3, it gives an indication of how large the area may be necessary for a typical, compliant, tertiary treatment and ground infiltration system. It should also be noted the system must be located in an area that is not built upon, nor hard surfaced, in order to allow oxygen to be absorbed into the soil to sustain the biological processes.
It is therefore requested the planning authority investigates the full Wastewater system requirements in detail when considering this proposal.