The above info graphic could be worse case scenario and set a UK precedent for car parking in the countryside. Imagine not only night events but day events and car parks open from 8am to 2am+(already 12.50am). This isn’t in a city where transport takes people away quickly and there is already a venue established, it isn’t near motorways, it is in a small rural town and villages next to Weardale where life has been quiet for years, where road infrastructure is not designed for 3000 (now could be estimated at 4500 cars applied to leave from car parks at the same time (July2016)), people are not used to city noise as it is rural and quiet at night, and there are many rare birds, animals, insects and so on due to this quiet river valley and rural area.
Development on a flood plain continues now with another car park application on flood plain. There is a car park without planning permission which has been constructed and operated near old mine workings which is part of EIA development, that is subject to the requirements of Environmental Impact Assessment.
Planning has already been approved for 30 events (2015), licensing (2015 amend 2016) -15 this year rising to 18 in 3 years time. Now there are car park applications to house up to not 3000 cars (this is a changing dynamic as new amends appear all the time – now up to 4500 July 2016). Construction of the car park without planning permission started on 30th April and workers were advised to be ‘vigilant’. This car park was used during the summer period for hundreds of cars with no geotechnical assessment. There is no sign of a committee meeting to decide this car park or the other proposed car parks.
What is the issue here? Well firstly residents all over Bishop Auckland are being disturbed during their sleep period. Noise includes car horns, shouting, car alarms, fireworks and other sources. The proposed level of car parking and bus use is unprecedented in a rural area or in the UK as development must be sustainable and therefore near public transport networks, this development is not. Over 4,000 vehicular emissions from cars, plus a large number of bus journeys is a significant source of particulates, NO2, SOx and other harmful gases, which add to greenhouse gases and climate change. We cannot access our countryside, enjoy fresh air and see wildlife which existed some of which has the highest level of protection.
This scenario has potential to affect you anywhere in the UK and this is why it is important to understand the precedent here. Guidance is suggested for 3 events of this type due to the obvious environmental harm potential to people and all living things. Durham UK have already superseded this guidance to approve 30 events and this is likely to increase. Planning approval is permanent once in place. Do you want this next to you? People are trying to reduce air quality issues once more in cities and many want to re-visit the Clean Air Act 1956. Many of the people affected by environmental damage live in large cities like London where some attempt was made to really clean up at various points. What about sleep? There is plenty of evidence about this being vital to good health. Night work and night anything else cannot override our genetics and our need for sleep.
Crowd Justice – Give!
We have started Crowd Justice funding to seek legal advice to protect our kids, dogs, sleep and environment as we feel that we are not being listened to.
- Contact Us – If you can help in any way Twitter @raed2016otter
- Wildlife Watchers – Let us know what you have seen
Planning Committee Meeting (A moving dynamic?) 2016 or 2017 County Hall, Durham
These are the current applications DM/16/01137/FPA, DM/16/01131/FPA, DM/16/01129/VOC and DM/16/01134/FPA:
The latest application DM/17/01800/FPA June 2017
- Protest and send your objections to Durham County Council durham.gov.uk/planning
- Contact your local councillor if you live in County Durham – tell them what you think. Contact your MP – this may be a precedent which could affect you anywhere in the UK
- Contact Durham County Council Planning Department
Email: planning@durham.gov.uk
Tel: 03000 262 830
Write to: G73-82, County Hall, County Durham, DH1 5UL
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