THE wheels are firmly in motion for a religious festival to take place on East Worldham farm land after the district council gave the go ahead for an underground sewerage system to be constructed. Two applications went before EHDC's north planning committee last Thursday relating to the Oakland's Farm site where the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA) will host a festival for between 20,000 and 30,000 people in July. The association upgraded one track and built two new tracks as well as several concrete stream crossings which went before the committee retrospectively. But Worldham Parish Council, along with local residents, were strongly opposed to the retrospective application. Stephen Dolley, Worldham parish chairman said: "This farm has been functioning for many years without creating rutting along the routes of these tracks, showing these tracks are of no agricultural significance and that the bridges are also completely disproportionate for the agricultural use of the farm." Mr Dolley said that no agricultural economic gain was claimed for the structures and the only significant gain claim is the prevention of heavily rutted muddy surfaces during the convention. He believed this claim to be unfounded. He was also unhappy that the tracks and bridges were highly visible from the public footpath and were "completely uncharacteristic" for a sheep farm. "The application is for the retention of some 800m of track making a total of nearly one acre of pasture land turned over to hardcore and scalpings," explained Mr Dolley. He continued: "Do the councillors wish to set such a precedent, not only for this site, but also for other non agricultural permanent developments on other farms? "Incremental development is a serious concern. No doubt further permanent tracks would be highly desirable in facilitating the proposed convention. "If the application is allowed, then it would surely be difficult to refuse planning permission for further tracks or areas of hard standing whose only true purpose is to facilitate a 28-day rule change of use? "There are already enough sites in the county that have been spoilt by the debris and supporting infrastructure for car boot sales, go-kart racing and other such activities under the 28-day rule. "The council should resist allowing further erosion of the countryside by developments supporting change of use. "In this instance, temporary road surfaces and temporary bridges should be used instead." These sentiments were fully backed by Carole Stellman who spoke on behalf of the residents. She was adamant that the tracks would have an adverse impact on the countryside and said that the only purpose of the works would be to aid the "mass gathering". But Ian Ellis, the applicant's agent, was quick to point out that the tracks would help the site's agricultural use. He also felt that the tracks had no real impact on the landscape, adding that the Environment Agency had no objection to them. Although members were informed that the application did not wholly satisfy planning legislation, which only permits development necessary for farming, they were unable to find any real demonstrable harm in the application. "It seems we are trying to get a policy to fit the application, which is unusual. "It does fall partly within the legislation and what is important is the aim of the policy and the spirit [in which] it was intended. "If the application does no harm, then it seems to me that we can give permission," explained Zoya Faddy. At six for, and the same number against, the chairman Patrick Burridge's casting vote went in favour of the application. The AMA also applied to install an underground foul-drainage system along with a storage tank on the land and this received much more support. Although village residents opposed the application, it was supported the parish council. "We accept that there is likely to be insignificant impact on the landscape from this development and the drainage will help safeguard the environment from possible sewerage spillage during the proposed convention for which this system is required," said Mr Dolley. Mrs Stellman felt that this, along with the previous application went against district council planning policy and would have an adverse effect on the area. She added: "Glastonbury 2005 with 150,000 attendees had no permanent drainage system so why would this convention need one? "This is clearly contrary to policy and should be refused." But the applicant's agent argued that the Glastonbury Festival did have some permanent drainage but not nearly enough. Mr Ellis said that he had spoken to organisers of the nearby Homelands Festival and that they were looking into installing a similar system for environmental reasons. "As mother of children who have been to many festivals, I have heard many horrible stories regarding poor drainage and I would be minded to pass this application," said Pat Seward. These sentiments were backed up by the majority of the committee who also backed this scheme.
