CHAIRMANS UP-DATE 22-9-08
VICTORY
Because Centrica pulled out of the deal with Calor Gas to re-introduce LNG back into the community of Canvey Island, Calor Gas had to pull out of the Public Inquiry set to discuss the plans they had submitted, in doing so the planning application had to be withdrawn by Calor Gas
This in turn became a victory for common sense and the people of Canvey Island who opposed the sitting of a large Methane (LNG) Terminal being sited so close to a residential area
Because Calor Gas, withdrew from the inquiry after the closing date when all “Rule 6” parties had submitted Their Proof’s of evidence it was judged by the Planning Inspectorate that the Rule 6 parties were entitled to compensation of costs
“The Planning Inspectorate” decided on the issue and PAM and was granted compensation
Not only is it rare for a third party to win against massive odds, it is virtually unknown for them to get costs
Calor Gas were made aware at the beginning of the communication with PAM solicitor that all monies claimed in compensation for time wasted in the preparation of the PAM case would be donated to local charities, This would have given Calor Gas the opportunity of a good community relation communication, act like adults, and show that they did take into consideration the local community needs and feelings
But unfortunately this they declined,
PAM felt this was a missed opportunity by the Public Relations of Calor Gas adopting this attitude and it showed the true colours of Calor Gas and its attitude to the surrounding community
Whilst PAM settled for £6,500 (under half of what we originally claimed for, which has been given to the local charities) it was a long drawn out affair, and PAM felt it was akin to trying to get a 50p piece out of Calor Gas hand with a spanner
Whilst the spectre of Calor Gas trying to store and process Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) has gone away a number of anomalies still remain with reference to the planning issues of TOP TIER COMAH sites such as Gas Terminals, Refineries, and Large Storage Depots like “Buncefield”
Because the Government, County Councils, or local Planning Authorities do not have a Safe Sitting Policy for TOP TIER COMAH (Control of Major Accidental Hazard) sites all communities where these are sited throughout the country are at a risk
Because these and other anomalies were still relevant there was a meeting instigated by the “ESSEX AREA FORUM” with members of the People Against Methane(PAM) Committee, Emergency Planning Officers, Industry & Environmental Managers, Local and County Planning Officers, County Councillors and local Councillors these and other issues were raised and the following action plan was adopted
Action Plan
1) Recommend the Local Council pass the following motion :- Is CPBC satisfied with the quality of information it receives from statutory consultees
On the 21-7-08 the following motion was passed by full Council: -
This Council notes that hazardous installations are regulated by a variety of agencies under various regimes
However there appears to be no requirement for a sharing of information amongst these agencies, this could lead to a situation where information which may be relevant to one agency is held by another unwittingly
This can create a particular problem for the council as local planning authority when planning applications are received. The Council carries out consultation with relevant agencies. However there is no process for all the agencies involved to ensure that all information which they hold and could be of relevance to any decision is disclosed
The Council calls on all agencies and consultees to join with it in calling for a greater degree of collaboration in the sharing of information to assist in better regulation of hazardous sites
Action Plan
2) Planning Officers to liaise with statutory consultees concerning the responses they provide to CPBC
3) Lobby relevant government departments to influence COMAH and associated legislation. Ideally, the “Worst case scenario” should be considered at the planning stage and the “worst case scenario” should be included in the “Site Safety Report”
4) Work with the local COMAH sites to voluntarily improve the quality of Public Information Zone (PIZ) literature
5) Liaise with colleagues in other areas of COMAH site concentrations to explore what solutions may already exist
6) Be aware of The Buncefield recommendations and the implications for COMAH sites within Essex
PAM have been assured by the Officers that attended the last meeting the action plans issues 2-6 will be subject of further meetings to be held at Essex County Council Offices in the near future which they have been invited to attend
PAM opposed the sitting of a Bio-diesel production plant within the Top Tier COMAH “OIKOS” Storage Depot site which is sited next door to the Methane Terminal site
Please note;-This Planning Application has now recently been withdrawn
Under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England & Wales) Regulation 2000: Permit Number VP 3838LP a vast improvement program is required by the Environmental Agency to the “OIKOS” site, there are three pages of improvements required covering 13 major issues that are deemed to be very urgent and are required to be completed in 2 years
Some of these recommendations are in light of the “Buncefield Report”
At the time the HSE were not aware of the issues involving the Environmental Agency and in doing so were prepared to not object to a hazardous process of a Bio-diesel plant to be carried out in a site that had major safety and environmental issues
Likewise the Environmental Agency were not aware of the Planning Application of the Bio-diesel plant within a site they had major issues with or that the HSE had been consulted
On top of this there were councillors that were due to determine this application that did not know of the dangers associated with the production of Bio-diesel
Talk about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing and the people being in the middle of planning nightmares and not being consulted
There has been talk of a case for a new decision-making body or a Rational for an Independent Planning Commission and “The BARKER REPORT” was commissioned
One of the issues in the BARKER REPORT review of land use planning made recommendations for full consultations on societal risk
This seems to have been hi-jacked and removed from the planning bill due for introduction later this year not only that but:-The deadline for the receipt by applicant of a local authority’s response to consultation under subsection (2) is the end of the period of 28 days that begins with the day after the day on which the local authority receives the consultation documents
I have heard of fast tracking; but in my opinion, this is express with no stops, no consultation and no consideration
Have a word with your MP this Planning bill 2007-08 is in need of great debate in the House of Commons otherwise I feel we will all be railroaded and will not be able to have a say in planning issues and the quality of life that affect us all
George Whatley
Chairman PAM
People Against Methane
