Download Cutcombe Parish - Exmoor National Park

Ilfracombe Arts College
Feedback Report
Event held on: 25.01.10
This report sets out the views that were expressed at the
‘Your Future Exmoor’ event for your college and is also
available to view on our website.
www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/your_future_exmoor.htm
If you have any views on this report please let us know by
filling in the comments sheet at the end of the report and
sending it to:
Policy and Community Team
Exmoor National Park Authority
Exmoor House
Dulverton
Somerset TA22 9HL
Or email your comments to: [email protected]
BY FRIDAY 23rd JULY
At the end of this report there is also a form where, if you
wish, you can provide your contact details to be notified of
future consultations as the plan progresses, including Topic
Group discussions.
Your Future Exmoor Event
Feedback Report
Introduction
The Ilfracombe College, ‘Your Future Exmoor’ Event was held on the 25th
January 2010 at Ilfracombe Arts College in Ilfracombe. The event was
organised by the Exmoor National Park Authority as part of the preparation of
the Exmoor National Park Local Development Framework which is replacing
the Local Plan. The event provided the opportunity for college students to
have a say in the planning of their community and the National Park as a
whole. We would like to acknowledge the valuable input from students and we
appreciate the representations that were made by those who attended the
event.
This report summarises what was said at the event. We would like you
(whether you attended the event or not) to let us know your views on the
issues, options and comments contained in this feedback report.
Attendance
The event was attended by 10 people who go to Ilfracombe Arts College. The
students were aged between 16-18 years old and came from the surrounding
towns and villages including Ilfracombe, Kentisbury, West Down, Berrynabor
and Combe Martin.
Your Future Exmoor Consultation
A presentation was given to introduce the workshop to the students. The
students were then split into groups to decide what they thought the most
important topics were in Exmoor. Depending on which topics they prioritised
they were then given worksheets to discuss the issues within their chosen
topics.
3
What You Said
Overall Response
Topics listed in order of importance to Ilfracombe College students:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Natural Environment.
Climate Change and Natural Resources.
Economy and Employment.
Settlements.
Cultural Environment.
Transport and Infrastructure.
Housing.
KEY FINDINGS
The key findings for the chosen two top topics discussed are set out below.
Natural Environment



People were happy to see more wind turbines.
There was agreement with Exmoor National Park Authority’s current approach to protect,
improve and increase existing wildlife sites; and to avoid harm to wildlife habitats.
Support was shown for the current approach to only allow for development in existing
settlements on the coast.
Climate Change & Natural Resources

People agreed with the following:
o encouraging the use of sustainable construction methods for new buildings and existing
buildings;
o ensuring development is close to existing services;
o maximising the potential for ‘carbon sinks’;
o requiring an audit/ evaluation for new development;
o ensuring renewable technologies and additional infrastructure does not harm the
National Park;
o encouraging the use of sustainable drainage systems;
o improving the understanding of the likely effects of climate change on Exmoor’s coast;
and
o re-using existing buildings to reduce the need for new materials.

The most popular renewable technology energies were community-scale wind turbines and
farm-scale anaerobic digesters.
Preparing a New Plan for Exmoor
SCOPING ISSUES & OPTIONS (DEC 2008 – JAN 2009)
YOUTH
CONSULTATION
AUTUMN 2009
ISSUES &
OPTIONS
ONGOING
CONSULTATION
2009 - 2010
21 COMMUNITY
EVENTS
(JAN – MAR 2010)
STAKEHOLDER
EVENT (MAY 2010)
TOPIC GROUP
DISCUSSIONS
(AUTUMN 2010)
NATIONAL
PARK
MANAGEMENT
PLAN
DRAFT
PLAN
SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY
STRATEGIES
CONSULTATION
2011
SUSTAINABILITY
APPRAISAL
RESPONSES
PUBLISH
REVISED
PLAN
TO THE
FORMAL
CONSULTATION
CONSULTATION
2012
5
PARKLIFE
RESIDENTS
QUESTIONNAIRE
NOV 2009
VISITOR
QUESTIONNAIRE
2009 - 2010
NATIONAL
REGIONAL
& LOCAL
Plans, policies
and programmes
EXAMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN - 2013
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WHATS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE
A series of three workshops with representatives of stakeholder organisations
were held during December 2008 and January 2009 at Lynton, Dunster and
Dulverton. These events aimed to scope the range of issues facing the
National Park in terms of land use and development and find options to
address them. The outcomes helped to develop the issues, options and
questions which were displayed at the Your Future Exmoor events.
Following the Your Future Exmoor events there was a similar event for
stakeholder organisations in May 2010 which provided them with an
opportunity to respond to the issues and options.
WHAT NEXT?
A number of topic group discussions will be held during the autumn to explore
some particular issues in further detail. We will be inviting representatives of
stakeholder organisations and interested members of the public to attend
these discussions.
All the information provided through the community and stakeholder events,
youth consultations, and questionnaires will help us to produce a draft plan
and we will be consulting widely on this document next year. We will continue
to invite views from local communities which will help us to progress the plan
and shape the future of the National Park.
The plan will set out the broad, over-arching policies for development and land
use within the National Park – combined with some more detailed
development management policies. The consultation responses will then
inform a revised plan which will be formally consulted on before publication.
The plan will then be examined by an independent Inspector, and if it is found
to be sound, it can then be formally adopted by the Authority.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
What do we want to achieve?
 Ensure that the landscape and wildlife is conserved and enhanced to
meet National Park purposes and recognise the value of the
environment to Exmoor’s communities
 Promote the National Park as a place that continues to offer a sense
of tranquillity
ISSUE 1: How to manage the impact of “man-made”
structures on the Exmoor landscape?
Questions
About right
Too many
Happy to see
more
Main roads, car parks, road
signs and infrastructure
9
0
1
Electricity pylons/poles
7
3
0
Overhead wires
7
3
0
Mobile phone masts
3
0
5
Static caravan sites
0
3
7
Touring caravan sites
2
5
3
Wind turbines
0
0
10
Man-made structures
Your suggestions….
 Like to see more public transport.
 Alternative means of electricity, infrastructure/ telecommunications.
 Static V touring caravanning- existing tourist infrastructure other than replacing or building
more.
 Hydroelectric power.
 Dam Watersmeet?
 Pylons underground.
 Prison.
To protect the landscape, current policy allows new small campsites for tents and the
conversion of traditional buildings to camping barns. New static or touring caravan sites
are not permitted. Do you have any comments on this approach?






Expand existing caravan sites.
Traditional buildings should NOT be converted to camping barns.
National Park is to protect old buildings (hypercritical).
Caravan sites should be permitted but carefully planned and managed.
Build pylons underground.
Underground prison/young offenders camp.
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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE 2: How to keep Exmoor wild, tranquil and remote and
protect its ‘dark sky’
9
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Currently we control the design and amount of external lighting in new developments to
minimise light pollution. Are there any other ways to control light or noise pollution on
Exmoor?






Light bulbs which are not very bright.
New developments have to have restrictions e.g. noise proof walls etc (1 x agree).
Black out curtains (2 x agree).
Community decibel (d) level restrictions.
Street lighting management including looking at times of use, number of street lights and
their brightness.
More with the times.
ISSUE 3: How to conserve Exmoor’s important wildlife and
allow it to adapt to climate change?
Are there any wildlife/habitats that you think need more protection?






River environments – protection of river beds for snipes.
Coastal environments – saltmarshes, mudflats, wildlife.
Managed retreat could effect marine habitats.
Exmoor ponies (endangered only 2000 in the world) they need protecting.
The environment/food source needs protecting.
Stop ponies getting run over somehow (pony bridges? Pony bus? Lollypop ladies for
ponies?) or speed bumps.
OPTIONS:
a) As now, protect,
improve and increase
existing wildlife sites
b) Extend and link
existing wildlife areas
specifically to enable
wildlife to adapt to
climate change
c) As now, avoid harm
to wildlife habitats or if
the importance of the
development overrides
the harm, ensure it is
minimised and
compensation is
provided
Please indicate
the option(s) you
agree with
Please indicate
the option(s) you
disagree with
Comments

10
0

5
5


10
0
10
Development in anyway
that’s not harming the
environment.
Help the people of the
local community.
Is it good to encourage
tourism?
(advantages/disadvanta
ges to this?)
Animals move with the
times.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
ISSUE 4: How to conserve the unspoilt character of Exmoor’s
coast?
OPTIONS:
As now, on the
coast, only allow for
development in
existing settlements
(apart from some
essential agricultural
and
forestry development in
the open countryside)
Resist harmful
development on the
coast needed by
structures out at sea
e.g. electricity
cabling/substations
from marine
renewable energy
schemes
Please indicate
the option(s) you
agree with
Please indicate
the option(s) you
disagree with
Comments

10
0


5
5

In or around for the
benefit of the actual place
e.g. small wind farm
outside settlement or
wave energy near the
coast (coastal protection).
Agree with renewable
energy on the coast but
not cabling.
No point making any
more- settlements
expand.
Sub stations out of view.
What other aspects of the coast should be protected?



Protected from erosion, land therefore habitats etc
Minimise sea erosion/ cliff erosion.
Beaches – LSD (longshore drift).
Please tell us whether we should be concerned about development off Exmoor’s coast?
E.g. renewable energy schemes


No.
No as long as it does not spread onto Exmoor NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard).
GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Do you have any further comments on this topic?

It is important but do not go over the top.
11
CLIMATE CHANGE & NATURAL RESOURCES
What do we want to achieve?
 Ensure climate change is a consideration in everything we do
 Minimise carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions to help
Exmoor be carbon-neutral by 2025
 Maximise Exmoor’s potential for appropriate renewable energy
generation
ISSUE 1: How to achieve the National Park Management Plan
target for the National Park to be ‘Carbon Neutral’ by 2025*?
*Exmoor National Park Management Plan target (page 48)
Global Warming & Climate Change
Climate Change probably represents the greatest
environmental threat facing Exmoor today. Global
warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as
oil, coal and natural gas which releases additional
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, causing
more heat to be trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and a
number of changes in the environment:
 melting ice-caps
 warming oceans changing where plants and
animals can live
OPTIONS:
a) Encourage the use of sustainable construction
methods for new buildings e.g. taking into account
energy efficiency in siting, layout, design and
materials
b) Encourage the use of sustainable construction
methods (as above) for existing buildings - reusing buildings uses less energy than new
building
c) Minimise energy use from vehicles by reducing
the need to travel by:
• As now, providing housing for local communities
• As now, encouraging home working
• As now, retaining services in communities
• Encouraging local resources, materials and
products e.g. timber/fuel and food
d) As now, ensure development is close to existing
services:
• Direct development to settlements
• Direct conversions of existing buildings to
settlements, farmsteads or hamlets
12
Climate change is also
affecting weather patterns
which on Exmoor is likely to
result in:
 more extreme weather
 increased storminess
(strong winds and intense
periods of rainfall)
 drier, hotter summers
 milder, wetter winters
Please indicate
the option(s)
you agree with
Please indicate
the option(s) you
disagree with
10
0
10
0
5
5
10
0
e) Maximise the potential for ‘carbon sinks’ (tree
planting and moorland/mire restoration) to reduce
greenhouse gases and flood risk
10
0
Carbon Sink
Comments











Solar roofing, renewable energy from wind, bike, treadmill (water).
Insulation so that there is no waste.
Self sufficiency (veg and fruit).
Local produce- food and economy.
Local building contractors.
Cultural sustainability.
Making old buildings environmentally friendly.
Renewable materials.
Car sharing in communities.
Sustainability = Good.
No more housing, impractical.
A Carbon Sink is a store that can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The
most common forms of carbon sink are forests - as trees and plants absorb carbon
dioxide (as do peat bogs). The carbon is used for plant growth and therefore long-lived
plants such as trees will, therefore, act as carbon sinks for a lengthy period.
The Exmoor Mire Project ‘re-wets’ and restores areas of blanket bog which promote peat
growth. There are some 10 million tonnes of peat on Exmoor, storing around 1 million
tonnes of carbon. Increasing blanket bog, also reduces flood risk by slowing water run
off from moorland.
ISSUE 2: How to reduce the dependency of Exmoor’s
communities and visitors on fossil fuels for most of their
electricity and heat generation?
OPTIONS:
a) Require an audit/ evaluation for
new development which shows:
• how it can minimise energy use
• options for renewable technologies
• the potential for reducing
greenhouse gas
while conserving Exmoor’s
character
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
Comments

10
13
0

Direct towards
young peopleintegration,
education.
Any ways to
reduce energy
use we should
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
OPTIONS:
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
Comments
take advantage
of.
b) Ensure renewable technologies
and the additional infrastructure
required such as power lines to
turbines (including at sea) do not
harm the National Park
10
0
(i) Please indicate which renewable energy technology you think is appropriate on
Exmoor, and at what scale.
Scale Renewable
Micro-scale e.g.
Farm-scale e.g.
Community-scale
individual
groups
of
buildings
e.g. settlements
Technologies
properties
Hydro (water power)
5
0
5
Wind Turbines
0
5
5
0
5
0
0
Solar/Photovoltaics
Biomass including wood
fuel
Anaerobic digesters
Ground source heat
pumps
Air source heat pumps
Combined heat and
power
Other (please state what)
0
0
5
10
0
0
5
10
5
0
0
0
5
5
Comment
No comments were Made
Yes
Do you think we
should consider any
large commercial
scale wind turbines
in Exmoor National
Park e.g. as large as
50 metres high, to
help reduce carbon
emissions?
No
THIS QUESTION WAS NOT
ASKED AT THE ILFRACOMBE
COLLEGE EVENT – IT WAS
SUBSEQUENTLY ADDED.
-
-
14
IF YOU HAVE ANY
COMMENTS ON THIS
QUESTION PLEASE LET US
KNOW.
Renewable Energy:
Hydro - electricity generated by the movement of water (i.e. lakes, reservoirs, rivers &
streams).
Photovoltaics - panels made of materials which generate electricity when exposed to
light.
Biomass - material produced by plants/organic matter such as: elephant grass; straw;
wood and manure.
Anaerobic digester - a treatment which composts waste such as food, garden waste,
paper or animal manure to produce a biogas used to generate electricity, heat or vehicle
fuel.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - a single highly efficient process which produces both
heat and electricity from a fuel.
15
ISSUE 3: How to adapt to changing weather patterns including
more extreme weather caused by climate change such as:
 increased storminess
 drier, hotter summers
 milder, wetter winters
OPTIONS:
 milder, wetter winters
a) Locating, adapting and
designing new development to
cope with the effects of more
extreme weather
b) Ensuring development is
located outside existing or future
flood risk areas (coast and rivers)
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
9
0
5
5


2
6

10
0
Comments


Water Management
c) Encouraging the use of “grey
water” recycling
Water Management
d) Encouraging the use of
sustainable drainage systems
and porous surfacing in new
development
Cost!!
Garden tub
collection.
Water Butts.
Keep population
down (moves with
the times).
Disagree with grey
water recycling
(disgusting: enough
water already).
Water Management
Water Management
Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater can be used for toilets, washing machines and watering
gardens. Whether the amount harvested, particularly from domestic roofs, will meet the
demand and justify installation costs depends on the size of roof areas.
Greywater Recycling Systems generally collect and treat wastewater from showers, baths
and wash basins and re-use it where drinking water quality is not required. This recycled
water can be used to flush toilets, water gardens and for washing machines. Greywater
recycling systems can be installed in new or existing buildings and have the potential to
meet a large proportion of household water needs.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting,
soakaways and permeable paving are ways of managing rainwater helping reduce
surface water runoff and reducing local flooding. Wetlands can also be established to
absorb surface water runoff and, alongside green roofs, greenspaces and gardens can
create wildlife habitats. environment-agency.gov.uk
16
Climate Change and Passive Building Design
Buildings can be designed to cope with some of the potential impacts of climate change
and help reduce carbon emissions by making the best use of natural forms of heating
and ventilation from the sun and wind.
 orientating buildings to maximise passive solar heating and lighting
 maximising natural ventilation in buildings through passive air conditioning
systems (not mechanised)
 Planting larger canopy deciduous trees to provide shade for buildings in the
summer and allow solar gain in the winter
ISSUE 4: How to plan for the effects of climate change and sea
level rise on the coast?
Sea Level Rise & Flood Risk
OPTIONS:
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
a) Improve understanding of the
likely effects of climate change
on
Exmoor’s coast by joint research
and planning for areas at risk
10
0
b) Do not allow any development
in areas at risk of coastal change
2
7
c) Allow temporary business
uses
(recreation/tourism) in areas
currently in use but at risk of
future flooding/coastal change
(to enable use of the land and
support the local economy)
8
1
Comments


Sea Level Rise: Central Government
advises that in the South West sea levels are
predicted to rise by:
 3.5mm/year from 1990 to 2025;
 8mm/year from 2025 to 2055;
 11.5mm/year from 2055 to 2085; and
 14.5mm/year from 2085 to 2100.



You cannot predict
the future.
Protection
development.
Wildlife sanctuaries.
Teamwork= good.
Try to preserve old
coastal settlements.
Flood Risk: Central Government
advises that a risk-based approach
should be used in locating development
which should, where possible, be in areas
at least risk of flooding. Where there is a
medium and high probability of flooding,
only essential infrastructure and
developments or less vulnerable uses
may be permitted.
Landfill Sites: There are no landfill sites on Exmoor, therefore all non-recycled
waste is transported to landfill sites outside the National Park boundary. Nearby sites:
 Rydon Lane Landfill Site, Williton
 Deep Moor Landfill Site, near Torrington
17
ISSUE 5: How to reduce the volume of waste disposed of
through landfill?
Landfill Sites
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
a) Provide for public facilities to
meet the need to reuse, recycle
and compost materials
8
0
b) Ensure the design of new
development includes storage
facilities for recycling and
composting
8
0
OPTIONS:
c) Encourage the flexible design
of buildings so they can be
adapted to different uses over
their lifetime rather than replaced
d) Re-use existing buildings to
reduce the need for new
materials, reuse building
materials e.g. slate, stone,
timber, and re-use construction
waste such as hardcore for
foundations
6
0
10
0
Comments


Recycling= good
Sustainable
ISSUE 6: How to reduce the risk of pollution to maintain
Exmoor’s high air and water quality, dark skies and tranquillity
and protect soils and wildlife?
Pollution
OPTIONS:
a) Work with others to avoid and
address pollution sources within
the National Park such as vehicle
emissions, agricultural and other
runoff, light and noise pollution
b) Work with others to avoid and
address pollution sources
outside the National Park such as
vehicle emissions agricultural
and other runoff, light and noise
pollution
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
agree with
Please
indicate the
option(s) you
disagree with
9
0
Comments
No Comments were
made.
6
1
18
Pollution: Many different types of pollution can impact water (and coastal water)
quality, air quality and tranquillity including quietness and dark skies.
The quality of Exmoor’s rivers and coastal waters is generally good, with relatively low
levels of pollution. Pollution is most likely from poorly maintained septic tanks,
agricultural run-off and leakages of farm slurry, silage effluent or sheep dip.
Air pollutant levels are thought to be low although there are concerns about habitats
such as heathland and oak woods which are sensitive to air pollution such as acid rain.
Exmoor is valued as a tranquil area, free from manmade noise and structures, where
people can escape the noise and stress of urban areas. There are some concerns
regarding the impact of traffic noise and aircraft. Exmoor National Park is one of the few
areas of southern England that is still relatively free from artificial light pollution,
although there is some light pollution from nearby towns such as Minehead and
Barnstaple and the skyline is often brightly lit from South Wales.
GENERAL COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Do you have any further comments on this topic?

Climate change might be natural.
19
PLEASE USE THIS SPACE IF YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY FURTHER
COMMENTS ON THE FEEDBACK REPORT:
20
Please complete this form if you are interested in attending a topic-based
group discussion on Your Future Exmoor.
Name
Organisation
(if relevant)
Address & Post
Code
Telephone
Email
Please tick the topics you are interested in discussing:







Natural Environment
Cultural Environment
Settlements
Housing
Economy & Employment
Transport & Infrastructure
Climate Change & Natural Resources
Are there any specific issues you are interested in
discussing?
 Please tick if you would like to be contacted for future
‘Your Future Exmoor’ planning consultations
Please return completed forms to [email protected]
or Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor House, Dulverton,
Somerset TA22 9HL BY FRIDAY 23rd JULY
21