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Minutes:
Mrs Susan Goss spoke on agenda item 7, Hinkley Point C Housing Strategy (Phase 3):-
Stogursey Parish currently played host to the 510 bed Hinkley Campus in addition to several HMO’s all occupied by transient HPC contractors.
The Parish had no appetite for any further housing development related as a result of the HPC construction - apart from that already specified for a Primary Settlement, as in the extant Local Plan. This community felt that it had already done more than its share to facilitate this development, having suffered at first hand from the noise, dust and traffic issues created by the largest construction site in Europe, over the last 12 years.
Whilst understanding the use of the relatively old Housing Needs Survey to ascertain perceived local housing requirements, it should be borne in mind that this survey was innately flawed - as it incorporated the whole of Quantock Ward and not just Stogursey Parish. Having obtained the actual relevant figures for Stogursey from one of the Housing Team at the time, it appeared that the actual housing needs for this Parish alone, were relatively small.
It should also be borne in mind that any increase on the back of an uptake in HPC Workers, over and above that permitted by the DCO, should not be used as a driver for any further housing development in the Parish - apart from that already stated in the Local Plan.
Even when HPC becomes operational there would not be the forecast 500 extra workers moving to the area. This was due to the fact that some of the existing HPC employees were currently retraining in operational roles, plus the fact that it was planned that existing HPB operational staff would transfer to HPC when decommissioning of HPB commenced in 2023.
Stogursey Parish would welcome further funding to improve life for residents if further monies were available but did not, under any circumstances, want or required further housing developments related to the HPC project.
Under normal circumstances Stogursey was a quiet rural idyll - residents would like it to remain so.
The words of a senior Government official from DECC, who made a visit to the Parish before construction began, were particularly relevant when he stated (off the record naturally) that we were the ‘sacrificial lambs for this project. This Parish had indeed already paid the price.....
Thank you for listening. Sue Goss Vice Chair Stogursey Parish Council
Cllr Fran Smith responded as follows:-
The proposals themselves did not propose any new developments in the Parish. Seaward Way, Lambrook House (both in Minehead) and Canonsgrove in Taunton were the only development based activities in the plan, which targeted affordable homes and supported vulnerable customers.
We had some funding to specifically support Stogursey, which came about because the number of workers in the Parish went over the agreed cap in the DCO (50 instead of 44). We had added some funds to take the total amount to £45k. The new Delivery Officer would work with the community to develop a plan that looked at housing and community issues together, and worked up solutions together.
In terms of new development that may or may not come forward, these would be dealt with by the usual planning processes - which was carried out in alignment with local plan policies. Each application was assessed on its own merits and in relation to the impact the development would have on the area in terms of things like environment, local services and facilities. This assessment did not include whether the development would eventually house HPC workers. There were stipulations for every development in terms of affordable housing.
That said this Strategy recognised that Stogursey required its own specific focus due to its proximity to the site and generally the impacts the community has had to face over the years. We needed to start by supporting the community in reviewing impacts, and looking to see what it was we could do to support housing and rental related needs in the area.