Representation by Grant Talbot and Theresa Talbot (Grant Talbot and Theresa Talbot)
- Date submitted
- 6 November 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
06 November 2023 Our Ref: DNB/HC/PW Dear Sirs, [REDACTED] Rampion 2 response to section 56 Notice I am writing on behalf of my client, Grant Talbot and Theresa Talbot, who own and occupy a property affected by the Rampion 2 scheme. I write in response to the section 56 Notice, received, to give notice of my clients’ interest in the property known as [REDACTED]. To provide a background, Theresa runs a successful business, Talbot Sports Horses, breeding and training show jumping and event horses, whilst Grant operates a large forage business marketing high quality forage products to equestrian businesses. I outline the key concerns below: 1. Access We consider that it would be inappropriate to access the cable routes via the [REDACTED]. The northern part of the yard is given over to high value horses with stables and menages. General access by contractors’ vehicles and plant would pose a health and safety risk to riders training young nervous horses on the menages and clearly there is a security risk to consider as well. The bottom half is used by Grant to store baled forage and operate farm machinery and vehicles from. Again, a health and safety risk is posed by sharing the access with third party contractors etc. 2. Business The cable route will inevitably take land out of production during the construction phase. Grant Talbot’s business depends on using high quality forage to make top quality feeds for horses. He has built up a strong customer base and supplies them on contract. It is essential to fulfil these contracts that he has access to clean young leys to provide the quality and quantity needed. A shortfall will jeopardise the contracts and result in not only a loss of business during construction, but for the future as well. Put simply this is not a product that can be brought in to replace lost production, and the impact on the business will extend beyond the completion date of the construction works. 3. Land Drainage The farm is situated on heavy Weald Clay which lies wet for much of the winter. The soil structure is quickly damaged. There are historic drainage systems across the farm and at present we have seen no plans to ensure that these historic schemes are not destroyed by the excavations for the cable route. It is essential that a qualified drainage contractor/consultant is employed to ensure that this issue is tackled before construction works commence. 4. Conclusion The impact the scheme will have on the business operations at [REDACTED] is significant. The project will compromise the area of ground available, which will reduce yields, to the detriment of the forage business. While access via the farmyard is also not appropriate. Measures to mitigate the disruption caused to the business and advanced discussions to ensure that the project is fully aware of the business implications, will be crucial. Yours faithfully Batcheller Monkhouse