Landscape, nature and noise

With the inquiry in full swing, we today heard evidence from the council's witnesses on landscape, ecology and noise.

Damage to the landscape and visual amenity was one of the reasons why the Packington Nook site failed at the last public inquiry 10 years ago and it was back today - the council's witness saying that the loss of landscape was unacceptable and no form of mitigation, in terms of planting trees between all the houses would replace it. Clearly, other sites in the district are less sensitive.

The inquiry then received written evidence from Severn Trent Water, saying there was no firm commitment to implement the all-important phosphate removal that Hallam need to satisfy the water quality requirements. This clearly irritated their barrister, who asked lots of questions on this to the Natural England witness, before being told that it was a matter for the environment agency.

On noise, another fine performance by the council's witness saying that this was the worst site in Ashby to be troubled by noise - mainly from the A42.