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Knackers' Yard plans "called in" for committee





Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill) announced he was “calling it in” - meaning that the decision will be made following a debate between elected councillors at a meeting of West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee, instead of by planning officers.
Meanwhile the proposal has generated around 300 representation letters from residents.
The furore was triggered by a renewed planning application submitted by J Passey and Son, who seek to move a knackers’ yard used for storing horse carcasses, plus horse incinerator, from its current location on the Turnpike industrial estate in Newbury, to the vacant Wessex Saw Mill site in Great Shefford.
Ironically, nearly 50 people have signed a petition in support of the application - all of them near neighbours of the existing yard who want it moved because they can no longer stand the “foul smells” emanating trom it.
Objectors include the nearby National Animal Welfare Trust Centre at Trindledown Farm, former Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Sir Philip Wroughton, some Lambourn Valley racehorse trainers, conservationists, parish councils and many residents.
Fears include pollution of drinking water from discharged effluent contaminating the the local water course, flooding and smell.
In calling the matter in to committee, Mr Beck noted: “During this June and July, environmental health officers made some 42 monitoring visits to the (current) site (at) which, whilst it is compliant with regulations and legislation, still there are problems!”
A senior land drainage engineer for West Berkshire Council, Jon Bowden, has written a report in which he warned: “Following a second winter of extensive flooding in the area and, having considered further points made by objectors in the light of this, I’ve re-thought the proposals as they stand and am now unwilling to approve the application for drainage.”
He said scientific and environmental experts had warned that “no contamination of watercourses or groundwater from carcasses should be permitted” and added: “I feel that the likely output of contaminated liquid from the facility may be more than has been quoted.”
Mr Bowden also acknowledged fears over drinking water pollution and contamination of nearby reed beds.
The poposal can be viewed by visiting West Berkshire Council’s website and going to the planning section, then entering the reference 14/01615/FUL



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