SOUTH SOMERSET DISTRICT CONSERVATIVE GROUP POSITION ON
PHOSPHATES
Given the recent interest in concerns raised over the levels
of phosphates in the area, it is alarming to think of the potential
impact.
There appear to be two key problems. Firstly, phosphate
presence in the land, which farmers are aware of, and where legislation to
reduce levels is in place, and in general is complied with. Agriculture is the
biggest cause of phosphate run-off, which poses the question; are we prepared
to take agricultural land out of production? A ridiculous notion.
Secondly, there is the issue of residual phosphate levels in
the land which leaches into the rivers. Locally, the problem of raw sewage
being deposited in the rivers during storm conditions is well
documented. Wessex Water have admitted this is their documentation and it
appears that, so far at least, they have failed to have any control over the
situation.
They are legally obliged to maintain our rivers and ensure
that they are pollution free, funded by taxpayers to provide this service.
The notion that a developer could plant trees in another
location to mitigate the impact of their developments is without merit, as the
residue is already in the soil. Scientific authorities advise that the
runoff from a housing estate is significantly higher in pollutants than that
from farmland.
What is troubling is that SSDC claim that they were not
aware of these problems until October this year, despite the Natural England
letter being issued in August, which raises the question of the level of
competence of those responsible. In attempting to get to grips with the issue
at this late stage there are those who feel that SSDC appears to be all about
process rather planning approval delivery.
This is clearly an issue between Natural England and Wessex
Water, with SSDC and other district council planners interpreting the
regulations. When it comes to enforcement, notwithstanding the paucity of
resource at SSDC, the Environment Agency appears to be playing a minor role.
It has been stated that minor householder applications which are not within the catchment area should be processed as normal. However, within SSDC there is a huge backlog of applications not yet determined, but which are well past their determination dates, which preceded the Natural England letter dated 17th August. What will happen to those?
In many cases the reason for non-determination lies with the
lack of resources within SSDC’s planning department to effectively handle the
workload within the timescales required.
In cases where reserved matters and Section 73 agreements
have been passed but where the detail is yet to be finalised, will this mean
that they will now be put on hold?
It would appear that it is illegal to not process
applications which should have been completed before 11th Nov.
Unless SSDC and other authorities get their act together,
and swiftly, I can foresee a number of expensive lawsuits coming forward.
Wessex Water state that both the Environment Agency and
Natural England have signed off their business plans for 2020 – 2025, where
they have until Dec. 2024 to address the issue of phosphates on the Somerset
Levels and Moors. This is patently just not good enough.
Wessex Water are ultimately responsible for failing to
address the problem but so far there appears to be little appetite shown by our
local authorities in holding them to account. Likewise, our MPs have been
inactive in getting to grips with the issue.
Wessex Water must be forced to put their house in order and
at the very least they should be fined, and/or removed and replaced by another
company or government department to clear up the mess. As taxpayers we should
also give consideration to withholding that portion of our council tax until
such time as the appropriate action is taken.
Cllr. Linda Vijeh
Conservative Group Leader
South Somerset District Council
@lindavijeh
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