Robert supports expansion at Camgrain storage site
Robert Sturdy during a recent visit to Camgrain
Robert Sturdy has supported Camgrain’s expansion plans for its grain storage site near the A11 Wilbraham interchange. The proposals are to expand the existing site by increasing the capacity for grain storage from 90,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes. The plans will come before South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday and a decision is due to be made on the matter on July 9. Camgrain’s planning application states: “Demand for centralised grain storage continues to grow and outstrip supply, and it is anticipated the 90,000-tonne storage capacity at the existing premises will be reached by harvest time this year.” The planning statement also includes a number of letters of support, including one from Mr Sturdy who says the application represents a great step forward for the eastern region at a time when world stocks, agriculture and food security are under pressure.
Dear Mr Sturdy
I fully understand your support for Camgrain’s new facility, which may well reduce the noise pollution from its Linton site.
I am most concerned at the way it has exploited its 1996 planning permission to quadruple its capacity on the Linton site. You may know that it had a finding against it for exceeding noise limits in 2008, and has reacted with fury to my attempts to draw attention to this anti-social behaviour. I use the term because it dismissed all concerns about noise before I registered an official complaint with the council, and did nothing at all to mitigate what it must have known in advance was going to be a serious problem over the wet summer. I hope it has now taken the steps it agreed with South Cambridgeshire DC to reduce noise levels, and we will see if it has any effect.
With best wishes
John Bald
Dear John,
Thank you for your comment. I have supported Camgrain at a time when food security and food production is of paramount importance to society. Camgrain is a forward thinking company which co-ordinates with agriculture and supermarkets to provide a service and ensure we have a continued supply of food. The noise level is an issue for local councillors to take up, and the site is situated close to a major road, but I do appreciate your concerns.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Sturdy