MP MEETS DEFRA OVER LLANCLOUDY CHAOS

11.11.28am GMT Tue 2nd Aug 2005

Paul Keetch, Member of Parliament for Hereford, has met representatives of DEFRA to discuss the ongoing indecision surrounding the route for the removal of contaminated waste from Hill Farm, Llancloudy.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Keetch said:

"It's quite clear that DEFRA would prefer to use the existing farm track to access the land and to create a temporary road across the fields to remove the waste. This seems reasonable to me and DEFRA see this as a feasible solution - this route will have minimal impact on the residents of Llancloudy.

"However, Herefordshire Council has now considered the planning application made by Ms Feakins and granted her permission to permit the importation of top-soil through the centre of the village via the lower road."

"I wrote to Herefordshire Council voicing my concerns about the planning application and asked them to defer their decision until after the meeting with the DEFRA officials. They declined and appear to have given consent without further consultation with either DEFRA or I. This is unfortunate because it means that the Council consider that the lower route is more suitable for trucks, whereas the local residents' disagree."

"For the sake of my constituents I am keen to see a suitable solution; I am awaiting further feedback from DEFRA on the issue."

ENDS