REPORT TO NORTH LUFFENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
PLANNING APPLICATION – 1 MILITARY WORKING DOGS REGIMENT
ST GEORGE’S BARRACKS, NORTH LUFFENHAM

AIM.

1.	The aim of this briefing note is to advise the Parish Council of developments in the proposed application for the MoD’s development of St George’s Barracks and to make recommendations in respect of the Parish Council’s approach to the planning application.

2.	It should be noted that at the time of writing this brief no application has been received from Rutland County Council (RCC). The Parish Clerk has advised that the formal planning application is currently being processed by RCC and on receipt will be considered in detail by the Parish Council.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.	As requested by the Parish Council, over the past 6 months Cllr Overington and I have worked closely with our County Councillors, RCC Executives and the MoD to fully understand the scope and scale of proposed developments in St George’s Barracks to accommodate 1 Military Working Dog Regiment and 2 Medical Regiment. The key issue has been the potential for a significant increase in noise pollution resulting from an increase from 64 to 326 Military Working Dogs (MWD) to be based in the Barracks. Throughout the process  MoD have been emphasised that these will be purpose built kennels designed to a very high specification using modern concepts and best practice to produce an excellent environment for the dogs and an effective and efficient working environment for the Staff. Noise limitation has been placed at the heart of the planning process and the kennels including runs will be entirely encapsulated within a sound absorbing shell. The current planning proposal proposes a noise output (Outside exceptional conditions) of “no noise above normal background noise even in the quietest conditions”. Attenuation through the design and build of the kennels are anticipated to make this achievable. On this basis, the increase in the number of dogs accommodated in St George’s Barracks should not have a significant impact on the village.

CONSULTATION

4.	Cllr Overington and I supported by our County Councillors have had an opportunity to meet with key RCC and Military Planning Staff on a number of occasions:

•	3 Oct 14 - 	Mtg with RCC Planning and Environmental Health Staff
•	26 Nov 14 – 	Mtg at RCC with CE RCC/Planning Staff/ MoD Staff / Unit Staff 
•	11 Feb 15 -	Preliminary mtg with CE RCC/Planning Staff/ MoD Staff / Unit Staff to review presentations to be made at Open Meetings.
•	11 Feb 15 – 	2 x Open Meetings in Offrs Mess St George’s Barracks
•	25 Feb 15 – 	Follow up planning meeting CE RCC + RCC Planning & Environmental Health Staff/ Military Planning Staff / MoD Project Contractors
•	4 Mar 15	SO + PC Only - Mtg with Environmental Health Staff to consider technical aspects of proposed planning application.

5.	Over this extended period RCC staff have been proactive in understanding and where possible addressing our concerns relating to the build of additional kennels in St George’s Barracks. In particular the Environmental Health Staff have been very aware of the potential for additional noise resulting from the significant increase in Military Working Dogs (MWD) from 64 to a maximum of 326.

6.	Largely as a result of our leaflet drop to every house in the village, the Open Meetings hosted by MoD were well attended. It is worth highlighting that as a result of our input at the earlier meeting on the morning of 11 Feb 15, MoD and RCC changed the emphasis of their presentations and concentrated the meat of the discussion to the issue of noise and how it would be managed. It is fair to say that the Parish Council have successfully raised the awareness of all concerned at the need to ensure that noise issues are considered very carefully in both the design of the kennels and the subsequent management thereof. 

PROPOSAL

7.	Though the planning application has yet to be seen, as a result of our consultation with MoD I understand that the proposed plan seeks approval for the building of :

•	New build accommodation for 3 x Squadron’s Offices and kenneling for 276 Dogs
•	A Vet Clinic adjacent to the proposed kennel accommodation
•	50 x Isolation Kennels
•	Abseil Tower for training purposes
•	The existing kennels will be retained for use by the Reserve Squadrons.
•	3 covered Dutch Barns for Training.
•	4 x Fenced outdoor training areas for training and ‘play’.
  
8.	No significant concerns were raised at either of the public meetings concerning the proposed scope of building/development within St George’s Barracks and I sense that both the Village and the Parish Council broadly support the ongoing use and development of the Barracks by the MoD. The outstanding concern relates to the issue of dog noise and its impact upon the village.

9.	In all the briefings that we have received, MoD have been keen to emphasise that these will be purpose built kennels designed to a very high specification using modern concepts and best practice to produce an excellent environment for the dogs and an effective and efficient working environment for the Staff. Noise limitation has been placed at the heart of the planning process and we have been advised that the kennels including runs will be entirely encapsulated within a sound absorbing shell. The current planning proposal proposes a noise output (Outside exceptional conditions) of “no noise above normal background noise even in the quietest conditions” as perceived at the nearest houses in the village to the noise source. Attenuation through the design and build of the kennels are anticipated to make this achievable. 

10.	In our discussions with RCC and MoD, we have made it clear that agreed noise levels would need to be achieved and verified by RCC as part of the Contractor’s  building handover process to the MoD and maintained at agreed levels in perpetuity thereafter. It is the view of RCC Environmental Health Officers that the proposals seen thus far, the design consultants have included an excellent summary of the requirement to manage noise and that noise management is being designed-in from the outset of the project.

RECOMMENDATION

11.	My recommendation to the Parish Council is that we review the planning application in detail and that in our response we reiterate our concerns over noise and seek formal reassurances that as part of the Planning conditions, clear noise levels and monitoring thereof should be agreed. This should result in no significant change in current noise levels, which should be maintained below background levels.     

ONGOING CONCERNS

12.	During our consultations we have been made aware that remains an unfunded aspiration to move a Squadron from Germany earlier than currently planned. This would result in a need for the development of a temporary solution to house up to 88 dogs. The current proposal would involve a temporary kenneling solution based on ISO containers. Noise attenuation in this scenario would be very limited and an increase in noise would be likely for the duration of the temporary solution, which would impact upon the village. Should funding for this aspiration be forthcoming a separate planning application would be needed. 

PBG CUMMINGS								20th March 2015