Feltwell: Meeting to tackle hot topic
VILLAGERS will be able to have their say on a proposal to install a power plant on allotment land.
Feltwell Parish Council is moving its annual meeting forward to early March to allow residents to speak on a bid by REG Biopower to build an electricity substation in Old Brandon Lane.
Some villagers have been outraged by the company’s plans to produce energy using 12 engines, powered by refined cooking oil, on land owned by the parish council.
This planning application has been withdrawn from West Norfolk Council, which would make the final decision on whether to grant planning approval.
Councillors decided to bring forward the parish meeting following a heated debate on Monday.
Calls were also made for councillor Peter Cooper to resign after he admitted writing “Luddite” on a petition run in the village.
After a resident discussed a councillor “defacing” the petition, Mr Cooper said: “I wrote Luddite because that’s what you are.”
More than 40 people crowded into a small room in the Methodist Chapel on Monday to raise their objections.
Council chairman Paul Garland proposed that the annual parish meeting be moved forward after a letter from village resident Val Cock was read out.
He said that the date will be announced after it has been set and that REG Biopower would also be invited.
Mr Garland said: “I am working with you, the parishioners on this.”
Speaking earlier in the meeting Miss Cock asked if the parish council would still support the application in light of residents’ objections.
She said: “I think the majority of people in the village are unhappy, with 664 signatures on the petition.”
Calls were also made for a public meeting by Jackie Reeves.
Another villager, David Maitland discussed the parish council’s decision to recommend planning approval to the borough council.
He said: “The parish council were supposed to be acting on behalf of residents and yet you have supposedly given appropriate approval to a planning application without any consultation with anybody.”
Borough and parish councillor Martin Storey later said that he had not discussed the application as it could prevent him from speaking at the planning committee meeting.
He said: “As your borough councillor, I am acting in a proper and correct manner at all times. The parish council is, as well.
“Everyone will have their opportunity. What’s more, you will be welcome.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
