To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Pauline Dee (Sub: Peter Cherrington), David Minnery and Peggy Mullock.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.

There were no public questions, statements or petitions received.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Temporary operation for exploratory borehole and associated infrastructure

The Area Planning and Building Control Manager introduced the application.  He confirmed that Members had undertaken a site visit the previous day but had been unable to gain access to the site itself but had viewed the site from a number of vantage sites along the highway, and had noted the siting of existing pylons and other landscape features.

With reference to the drawings and photo montage displayed, the Technical Specialist Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the location, site layout and access. 

Members noted the additional representations as detailed in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting, and the further comments, illustrative diagram showing the location of the slurry pipe and watercourses, and a drawing detailing the boundary and  indicative layout circulated at the meeting.

Professor Whitelegg, a Shropshire resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council's scheme for public speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         The UK had been committed to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions. Fracking produced carbon rich gasses so this proposal would be contrary to national policy and lead to Shropshire adding to the carbon inventory;

·         The proposal would be contrary to the Climate Change Act and what Parliament intended;

·         Methane was a very powerful gas;

·         Contrary to local policy; and

·         He urged rejection of the proposal.

Chris Hesketh, a local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council's scheme for public speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         No reference to future extraction in the National Planning Policy Framework;

·         Any advantages of taking CBM out of the ground would be limited;

·         Would provide limited employment;

·         The proposal would have a detrimental impact on the local economy and local businesses.  A major employer was considering relocation;

·         Concerns with regard to noise and environmental impact; and

·         A high number of objections had been submitted and he urged refusal.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Mr C Voelker, the agent, spoke for six minutes.  He spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s scheme for publish speaking at Planning Committees, during which the following points were raised:

·         Proposal would be in accordance with the Development Plan and Planning Officers were recommending approval;

·         Principle of development had been established;

·         Would be temporary and short-term with no long-term effects on the environment;

·         A Transport Management Plan, Noise Management Plan and Ecological Mitigation Plan would be submitted;

·         At the conclusion, site would be restored to former condition;

·         Agreement for a single well on the site had been obtained from the landowner;

·         No objections from technical consultees and suitable conditions would be attached to any permission; and

·         Drilling process was well established in the UK and regulated by appropriate bodies.

By virtue of the amendment made to Shropshire Council’s Constitution, as agreed at the meeting of Full Council held on 27 February 2014, Councillor Steve Davenport, as the local Ward Councillor, made a statement and then left the table and took  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To note that the next meeting of the North Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday 18^th November 2014, in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

It was noted that the next meeting of the North Planning Committee would be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 18 November 2014 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.