Comment for planning application SCC/0045/23SE

Land Partners LLP, The Old Stables, Lyons Hall Business Park, Lyons Hall Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9SH

We write on behalf of the U G J Haylock & Sons who own Hanchett Hall. The farm lies mainly to the south of the A1307 but part of the holding directly adjoins the proposed plant. Neville Haylock has lived as a neighbour to Spring Grove Farm for 80 years and was a tenant of the land for a period too. His working knowledge of the proposal site is second to none. Flooding We note from the Flood Risk Assessment submitted by the applicant that the EA have confirmed they hold no detailed site specific flood information for the main site.' The applicant had therefore commissioned SLR Consulting Ltd to model the flood risk and their findings are set out in the submitted FRA. Neville Haylock farmed Spring Grove for a period of c.20 years and witnessed regular seasonal flood occasions and can attest to this. On becoming aware of the planning application, Richard Haylock (Neville's son) has taken photographs of flood waters lying on the land over a period of nearly 10 months, the latest of which were taken on Friday 20th October 2023. We have a copy of a letter dated 19th December 1994, in which the agent acting for the Vestey estate, wrote to the then tenant of Spring Grove Farm regarding the Haverhill Bypass, stating that 'with regard to the flooding of the fields, I can confirm that this has been reported to the District Valuer and he has accepted that there is a problem.' Furthermore, the letter states that 'he has therefore instructed the county engineer to come up with a scheme to alleviate the problem,' but we have no evidence that any remedial work was ever undertaken. Notwithstanding the outcome of this correspondence, this is evidence of the historic nature of the flood risk. We ask that the planning authority give due weight to the actual conditions rather than those projected by modelling when assessing the impact of the proposed development. We have attached photographs to this submission. Should the water level rise to the extent that it regularly has to date, the potential for pollution of the watercourse and the surrounding land is high and the impact on surrounding landowners and land users would be catastrophic. Of particular concern to U G J Haylock, due to their canine enterprises, is the risk of blue green algae developing in watercourses. The Kennel Club and many other veterinarian based charities have identified the risk of death to any dog that comes into contact with contaminated water and the potential of leakage and leaching from the proposed development is concerning. We also query what mitigation is being put in place to replace the flood alleviation performed by this land in preventing large amounts of water from flowing on in a short space of time and causing damage to residential and commercial property downstream. Traffic We raise concerns about the number of large and slow vehicle movements which the development will generate and the impact this will have on the A1307. The road is already identified as a 'high casualty route' and the Haylocks have witnessed many near-misses as traffic speeds away from the short-lengths broken up by the roundabout around the Haverhill bypass. Smell U G J Haylock operates several successful diversifications from their farm site. We are concerned that the smells generated by the proposed plant will impact on these, most notably the dog related enterprises. There is a well-established kennels which is used by police dog trainers and the sensitive noses of these dogs would be disturbed by the odours generated by the feed-materials proposed. There is also a popular cattery with open runs which will become less appealing if the proposal goes ahead. All of these impacts will have a direct financial consequence to the Haylocks as well as jeopardising the amenity of their home. The Haylocks sold land inside the bypass for development, originally as light-industrial but it has subsequently been built out as the residential The Arboretum development. It is unfair that these new properties, all recently purchased, will now be blighted by the siting of this waste facility. Impact on Haverhill The development will weaken the link between Cambridge and Haverhill which has previously been encouraged by planning policy and as well as the aesthetic impact of a waste site as the town's gateway, the resultant traffic will make the journey between the two much more difficult. The 'Spirit of Enterprise' artwork on the roundabout adjoining the Epicentre currently welcome visitors to a progressive and forward-thinking small town but should the development be consented, this statement of Haverhill's aspirations will be tainted by the location of a waste facility. Access We note that following Suffolk County Council's acquisition of land for the new A1307, one of the Haylock's fields was effectively cut off by the new road. The right to access this field was retained and is still used, albeit it has to be restricted with a concrete block (as agreed with SCC) to prevent trespass. We ask that SCC ensure that the Haylock's access rights are not impeded by any of the proposed construction, and that the safety of anyone seeking access to the field is not impaired, should it be granted consent. We wish to emphasise that we have no objection to the generation of energy from waste and would support such a plant in an alternative and suitable location. We ask that the planning authority reject this application and would be happy to discuss any of the points raised in further detail if required.