At the Straitgate Farm Planning Inquiry, no evidence was presented by Aggregate Industries to demonstrate how alternative water supplies could be provided to the 120 people reliant on the Straitgate aquifer in the event of derogation.
It’s a serious omission. Anyone watching Grand Designs last week will understand why.
The issue of alternative water supplies and how they could be provided is one we have posted about in the past – here and here are just two examples.
At the Public Inquiry, the barrister representing Devon County Council said in his closing submission:
125. Minerals Plan Table C.4 is clear regarding the need to include provision for alternative supply in the event of derogation, and the Appellant has been reminded of the need throughout (see e.g. 2.8 of [CD4.07A]). But the Appellant has adopted an approach that amounts to a crossing of fingers, with an approach in the s.106 that is no more than a plan to make a plan, consistent with its unjustifiable downplaying of the significance to be afforded the PWSs and the potential impacts upon them.
The barrister representing Straitgate Action Group said in his closing submission:
33. There is no evidence that any of the 120 people reliant on private water supplies could easily be provided with mains water as an alternative.38. There is no evidence that an alternative borehole would be available.46. SAG has consistently been asking for detail to satisfy it that practical mitigation that works in the real world has been worked up and secured. The Appellant has done preciously little to demonstrate that the mitigation would ensure no more than a negligible impact in practice. A take it or leave it offer letter setting out a series of measures, none of which has actually been shown to be practicable or achievable within a realistic timescale, is simply not good enough.
Even now, all that Aggregate Industries’ proposed Unilateral Undertaking legal agreement says is:
3. If the investigation confirms that it is AIUKs operations at Straitgate that are the cause of the loss or reduction in supply or contamination of a PWS, then AIUK will provide at their own expense one, or a combination of, the following solutions:Appropriate water treatment;
Deepen existing borehole;
Provide additional pumping equipment;
Pay compensation for increased pumping costs;
Install appropriate treatment systems to deal with contamination;
Provide a new borehole;
Provide additional storage facilities;
Install a mains supply connection;
Any other solution proposed by the expert (please see below)
How much of this is possible? No-one knows. No feasibility study has ever been commissioned.
What if private water users don’t agree with the solution?
If you do not agree to the solution proposed by AIUK or the expert (as appropriate) you shall be under no obligation to accept AIUK's proposal to implement that solution. However, should you reject the proposal (which shall include but not be limited to refusing AIUK access to your property to implement the solution), AIUK shall be under no further obligation to propose and/or implement a solution to the issue.
And what about any extra ongoing charges – for treatment or from South West Water, for example? Surely, it’s the least that can be offered if your spring water has been compromised?
For the avoidance of doubt, AIUK shall only be responsible for implementing the proposed solution and not for any subsequent charges, fees or any other costs associated with the solution once implemented.
Which says a lot doesn’t it? If there were little risk to water supplies, this would be an easy promise to make. Obviously the bean counters at Aggregate Industries are not convinced there is little risk.
Why at this stage do we need any more than "a plan to make a plan"?
Anyone watching Grand Designs last week will appreciate that securing a source of water cannot be taken for granted.
The programme followed a DIY off-grid cowshed conversion in Somerset. On the subject of water:
Following four unsuccessful attempts at drilling a borehole to bring in a water supply, the couple switched to a water harvesting system.
Apparently, these intrepid self-builders have now come to value water as a precious resource, reportedly getting excited when it rains and having "a very relaxed attitude to flushing".
Of course, as things currently stand, there are no problems with private water supplies around Straitgate. People don’t need to get excited when it rains, or have a relaxed attitude to flushing.
From derelict cowshed to stunning eco home 😍
— granddesigns (@granddesigns) October 27, 2022
Ed and Vicky have proved that a greener, more sustainable way of life is not just possible, but utterly beautiful #GrandDesigns pic.twitter.com/26zUnTwNZH
