Planning Application Thought for the Day - Sunday

Today we talk about fish and water - it's a bit technical but when you look behind the flim flam you can see what they mean, so study it carefully. Environmental Impact Assessment, paragraphs 15.103 - 15.107:

15.103 Construction activities and earthworks for the site have the potential to significantly impact on the surrounding environment.

15.104 The proposed earthworks will consist of raising of the site levels by means of importantion of inert materials.

15.105 Two signifcant impacts could potentially result from these activities. The first is the generation of particulate laden surface water run-off, whichmay find its way into the local surface water environment, either by means of the existing surface water drainage system, or by the general uncontrolled surface water run-off into the rhyne at the northern end of the site. If uncontrolled, this silt laden water could drain into the River Axe. Should the quantities of such run-off be high, such as during winter storm events, then a significant amount of particulate laden water may discharge into the estuary.

15.106 The River Axe is a SSSI [site of special scientific interest] and SAC designated area which is an important winter spawning ground for a number of fish species (lamprey, salmon and sea trout), some of which are sensitive to increased sedimentation/particulate loading in the water. These species may suffer a moderate adverse impact as a result of the increase in particulate matter in the water. Such effects would, however, be short term and temporary.

25.197 The second impact may result from the use of uncontrolled contaminated fills being brough on to the site for use as bulk fills during the earthworks/construction phase. Any run-off generated and discharged into the River Axe may contain elevated chemical constituents which have been leached from the imported soils. This may lead to a decrease in water quality which would affect the sensitive fish species. Run-off and therefore decreased quality of water would be most significant during times of high rainfall and run-off (i.e. during the winter) which coincides with the spawning season of the fish. These species may suffer a moderate adverse impact, which would be short term and temporary in nature.

So - the muck they bring in could well contaminate the river and the spawning fish. But, don't worry, it will be short term and temporary ..... Sorry, but thousands of pounds have just been spent on stocking this river with trout, salmon, etc and lampreys are the food for many of the sea birds in the estuary. There's no such thing as a "temporary" or "moderate" adverse impact for these fish and birds - they die and you can only die once, there isn't anything "temporary" or "moderate" about that.

I recall that, once upon a time, there was a suggestion that the infill should come from the river itself. What happened to that idea? Too expensive or something, I guess - easier and quicker to bring contaminated muck along the roads of Seaton and let the fish suffer the consequences.

And let's not forget we are relying on people who live on the site (though no-one will live on it at this point0 and the neighbours to monitor to see if things go wrong. Well, if anyone notices lots of fish belly up or fighting for air in the River Axe, be sure to tell the developers won't you!