Minutes of Meeting of
East Lammermuir Community Council
held in Innerwick Village Hall on
Tuesday 18 June, 2013.
Present:Cllrs Peter Armstrong/Chris Bruce (Chair)/Janice Hanvidge/Barbara Wyllie/Janette MacDonald/Anne Lyall
In attendance: Cllr M Veitch/PC K Hughes/Dawn Charlton (Innerwick Welfare Assoc.)/Morag Haddow/Crispin Hayes (Sustaining Dunbar)/Nick Morgan (ELC – Landscape & Countryside)/Philip Johnston/ Nicky Booth & Jodie Parkes – Community Windpower Ltd/Pauline Jaffray
and 4 members of the public.
1:00 Apologies: None
The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. ELCC were particular pleased to welcome Anne Lyall who will represent Spott on the Community Council. As it was a full meeting with three new items to be added to the agenda – Innerwick Woodland/Connecting East Lammermuir Villages to Dunbar & Coast – pedestrian and cycling paths/Community Windpower Ltd – Aikengall 2A the meeting agreed to discuss these matters in this order.
Innerwick Woodland: Mr Philip Johnston, whose daughter lives in Innerwick House, brought to the attention of the meeting the state of disrepair and possible purchase of Innerwick wood from Biel Estate. It was originally thought that Biel Estate was willing to gift the wood either to Innerwick village or an individual willing to take over its management, but it is more likely that a nominal fee (plus legal costs) may be required to progress a change in ownership. Mr Johnston’s daughter lives in Innerwick House which fronts the wood, but currently has the house on the market for sale.
The estimate initial cost for a private individual to take ownership of the wood, which is also in a conservation area, will cost in the region of £5k. Mr Johnston himself is keen for Innerwick Community to have ownership of the wood and to see it rejuvenated – which would result in a marked improvement in Main Street.
Dawn Charlton provided background information from when it was first suggested Innerwick Community took on ownership of the wood in 2006. A well attended public meeting was held and a report commissioned by an expert whose recommendation, due to the public liability, the slope of the land, other maintenance concerns and costs of tidying and preserving the wood, was for the village to decline the offer.
Innerwick Welfare Association met on Monday 17 June and the matter was discussed further. Whilst IWA would prefer to see the wood as a community resource they required confirmation of the liability, the costs involved together with grass route support. Morag Haddow suggested Sustaining Dunbar could offer advice and guidance and MV would contact the Woodland Trust, again for advice. The meeting accepted that whilst the liability involved in owning this woodland was an issue, it should not preclude ownership and agreed to seek further professional advice. CB would organise a meeting to which the local community and all those interested should be in attendance. MV/CB
Sustaining Dunbar – Connecting the East Lammermuir Villages to Dunbar & Coast.
Morag Haddow of Sustaining Dunbar introduced Crispin Hayes who presented information on the study, connecting Innerwick and area to Dunbar and the coast for people without a car, or who like to walk, cycle, ride etc. The current core path network is spasmodic and required to be ‘joined-up.’ There is no safe crossing the A1 between Dunbar and Cove, and walking/cycling links between the settlements are poor.
Various options have been looked at and the construction of a bridge proved to be the most expensive option and would take considerable time to be put in place due to traffic regulations etc. Initial discussions have taken place with Transport Scotland who responded constructively. Sustaining Dunbar is currently investigating developing the core path from the Brandsmill culvert which would mostly follow the embankment of the A1. The proposed rural path, which would be between 1.2-1.5m wide would have a whindust surface. After discussion the meeting felt this surface would not be suitable for cyclists and a tarmac covering, which required lower maintenance, would be more appropriate. As this would potentially double the cost, this makes the bridge option seem more competitive. Negotiations with Transport Scotland, local landowners, Sustrans and others are continuing. Once a route has been agreed, Sustaining Dunbar intends to apply for external funding to build it.
A whindust path would cost around £200k. Discussions are underway with ELC for a commitment to maintenance, but as yet they have not agreed.
Police Business: PC Kevin Hughes advised during the period since the last police report there have been few incidents of note. There may be more incidents but due to the nature of these, or the ongoing investigation details can not be disclosed. PC Hughes went on to advise the importance of keeping homes, outbuildings, vehicles all securely locked as there had been a number of thefts of red diesel, together with items from outbuildings. Poaching was also prevalent in the area and road users were being asked to be extra vigilant and to travel at reduced speed, due to the number of deer on the road. Police are also targeting drink driving, monitoring speed and drivers using mobile telephones and not wearing seat belts.
Community Windpower Ltd – Aikengall 2A
Nicky Booth & Jodie Parkes of Community Windpower Ltd., presented to the meeting the current situation with regard to the expansion of Aikengall IIa.
There are three wind farms situated within Aikengall:
- Aikengall Community Wind Farm: operational since 2009, 16 turbines;
- Aikengall II – Wester Dod Community Wind Farm: forms an extension to the operational wind farm and was consented in March 2013, 19 turbines (this was given partial consent as the application consisted of 22 turbines in total); and
- Aikengall IIa Community Wind Farm: currently in scoping and CWP are looking up to a maximum of 30 additional turbines. It is anticipated that the majority will be located in the Scottish Borders area; however turbines are likely to be included in East Lothian.
The first round of public exhibitions will commence this week as part of the community consultation process and are planning to have a second round of public exhibitions later on this summer.
Construction for Aikengall II – Wester Dod is likely to commence in 2014, with a grid connection date in 2015. Construction timescales for Aikengall IIa will be beyond this, as a planning application is yet to be submitted. Community Windpower Ltd is currently looking at an impact assessment and are in discussion with local landowners re a new access from the Cockburnspath area.
In terms of community benefits, £100,000 is currently provided to BeGreen in conjunction with the operational Aikengall scheme. Additional funding has been committed as part of the Aikengall II – Wester Dod phase, which is in the order of £100,000 split between four Community Councils (one being ELCC) along with additional funding to expand BeGreen. Further community benefits of £5,000 per MW is proposed for Aikengall IIa, however it is yet to be decided as to how this will be divided.
ELCC, the area closest to this development, consistently felt they were being omitted from any regular liaison and communication with CWP was poor. It would be preferred if a dedicated person from CWP could be appointed to liaise with ELCC on all matters relating to this development. Nicky Booth took this on board and will feed back all comments from ELCC to CWP.
The meeting returned to the original agenda, where any outstanding matters or items to be raised were discussed.
Councillors’ Reports:
Oldhamstocks – MV advised ELC will commence work on verges in Oldhamstocks and Stenton in August/September and he recommend Oldhamstocks councillors contact Peter Forsyth, ELC direct re the placement of a 30mph sign. CB
The grass cutting in Stenton and Oldhamstock had been done very badly and currently Oldhamstocks are discussing the option of undertaking the grass cutting themselves with ELC, who may give each village the monies currently spent on grass cutting in their village.
The grass verge opposite Oldhamstocks Church required immediate attention as it was badly rutted and required to be rotivated, evened out and returfed. CH to contact Peter Forsyth CB
Innerwick: Thornton Bridge roadwork’s commenced on 17 June, 2012 and PJ reported very bad pot holes outside No 6 & No 14 Thorntonloch holdings. A warning sign would be put in place at Crowhill and the white line in Innerwick Main Street would be painted soon. MV
Stenton: The potholes at Beilgrange have been repaired and BW asked MV to clarify what is happening with Crook Road grass cutting. MV
Mobile library: No information available as yet.
Local Priority Fund: PA asked what the situation is with regards to the local priority fund as Spott would very much like to access what funds were available to them. JH explained the local priority funds are managed by ELC who advise how much money is available for the ELCC area and once each village has identified their various projects for which receipts must be forwarded – monies are then paid to each village community association.
Prior to the close of meeting, ELCC reissued their welcome to Anne Lyall and sincerely hoped she had found her first meeting of interest.
Date of next meeting: 27 August, 2013 Oldhamstocks.