'Manchester needs water - but don't kill the Forest of Bowland's unique and long history for it'
The protected Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is at risk from a lack of proper scrutiny by local and national organisations regarding plans for a major water tunnel, objectors claim.
Objectors say the countryside along the valley of the river Hodder, around the village of Newton in Bowland and elsewhere, will be irreparably damaged by the creation of huge construction compounds and HGV haulage routes for a period of almost ten years, unless the current United Utilities plan is changed.
Mel and David allege that despite the Landscapes Review being published during the assessment of the United Utilities plan, there is no evidence that it has been considered in any deliberations by Ribble Valley Council, which is classed as the local planning authority for planning applications, or by other bodies charged with protecting AONBs.
Mel said: "It's important to say that we, as people, have no more rights than people in Clitheroe, or anywhere else, when they find dozens of houses being built behind their homes or have a major railway line bisecting their community. We are not special. But it’s the land in Bowland that is special and should be protected."
"What you see here is because for over 1,000 years a marriage between the community, regulations and an enduring respect for the beauty of the landscape have been maintained. David added that “Sustainable tourism is vital for the area’s community. A wide range of visitors come to the Forest of Bowland, including walkers, cyclists, families for picnics, people visiting pubs, cafes and restaurants, or staying in hotels, bed and breakfast or holiday accommodation. Many farmers, who have to modify farming practices to accommodate the AONB have had to diversify to make ends meet and are now reliant on visitors as part of their business model.
'SCRUTINY ORGANISATIONS NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS' David said: "I think the AONB’s in England and Wales are generally fit-for-purpose. But organisations and people who are responsible for them need to do their jobs. For example, the National Planning Policy Framework that covers major development in aN AONB says great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty. These areas have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues.
David and Mel claim this reflected' a curious determination' by the council to 'push the Haweswater scheme through and shut-down debate on its many flaws'. They claim the alleged flaws are fundamental to the Haweswater scheme and cannot be mitigated using planning conditions. ALTERNATIVES Mel said: "Planning policy also states that when considering applications for development within AONB’s an assessment of the cost of, and scope for, developing outside the designated area, or meeting the need for it in some other way’ is required.
"We suggest it’s because it’s an easy solution for United Utilities and will result in them having a £2 billion asset paid for by us, the public. They may have got approval from OFWAT but it is not a planning authority. It is only required to evaluate the company's plan to maintain or improve services and agree if it can be funded by the tax payer.
For NSIPs, applications are assessed by a planning inspector and The Secretary of State. A decision is made for the whole project, not on individual sections or individual planning applications. There are other NSIPs which are much smaller than the Haweswater aqueduct scheme. Natural England has described this scheme as the equivalent to an NSIP in its letters to Ribble Valley Council.
Mel added: "We think Ribble Valley Council's planning report had significant inaccuracies and omissions, and while there is no opportunity for the public to challenge this document these were pointed-out to councillors before the planning meeting. But none chose to raise them with officers." "While legislation may be broadly fit for purpose, the various authorities and bodies don't seem to be doing their job and in some cases have a conflict of interest.
“Frankly, the debate at the council planning meeting would be the best-possible advert to have the decision called-in. It opened with an unusual address by the Leader of the Council that almost seemed to apologise on behalf of councillors that this was very complicated and unprecedented and they were all volunteers. He went on to thank Nicola Hopkins, the Director of Economic Development and Planning personally for ‘putting her heart and soul into this’. This was before any vote.
“The planning meeting concluded with a vote to grant conditional approval which we believe was unnecessary, given councillors knew of the impending call-in decision but instead seemed determined to back themselves in to corner. We can only speculate as to the reason. Perhaps local elections?” RIBBLE VALLEY COUNCIL COMMENTS The Local Democracy Reporting service contacted Ribble Valley Council, the Forest of Bowland AONB, Lancashire County Council, Natural England and United Utilities for comment. Nicola Hopkins, Ribble Valley's director of economic development and planning, said: “The applications have been considered strictly in accordance with local and national planning policies.
He said: "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are protected by law. Within Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act there is a duty on all relevant authorities to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape, in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect land in, AONBs.
"Whilst the Joint Advisory Committee meetings are provided with reports and background information on applications for planning consent that could have a significant impact on the landscape of the AONB such as the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme, the committee devolves responsibility for making comments and/or objections to applications for planning consent to me, as the AONB Manager, with input of specialist expert advisers on landscape and ecology, where required.
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