We're live-tweeting @Southsomersetdc #areasouth virtually today - here's how to join us: zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 775 475 691 Meeting Password: 016384 #LDReporter #Somerset #bravenewworld
Here's your agenda for today: modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/ieListDocument… We get under way at 2pm. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Having some problems on here - lots of people coming on and trolling, with some rude names... #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
We're finally under way having got rid of the trolls - Cllr Peter Gubbins is in the chair, @PeterSeib, @Chestnutters @Robstick_LD and others in attendance. Two apologies for absence. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth 
Cllr Gubbins is going through the process of how the meeting will be run. We may have a number of public speakers, who will get three minutes to speak as per usual. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Because of the emergency powers that were approved on by @Southsomersetdc full council, this committee is consultative - its decisions will be signed off by chief executive Alex Parmley. somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-… #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
We're onto the first item - the Keyford urban extension (regarding 800 homes on the #A37 #Dorchester Road in #Yeovil: modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/documents/s304… #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Someone just shared a picture of two men kissing instead of a planning presentation. Cllr Gubbins says he will kick the public out if this continues and take this up with the police. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Here's my preview of this discussion from earlier in the week, if you don't want to pour through the whole presentation: somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-… #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Re the trolling - we had people dialling in calling themselves 'Ben Dover' and 'Mike Coxlong'. May have been some adult content played in the background before their microphones were muted en masse. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Gina Seaton (local ward member, not present at the meeting) is having a statement read out on her behalf. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"The parish councils and local communities have presented well-reasoned highway objections with comments from the local electorate." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"It is very unfortunate that council is bringing this report to committee at this time, giving an advantage to the developers." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @NicolaClarkLD: "Trigger points are yet to be negotiated. How will those be negotiated?" Simon Fox (planning officer) says this will happen by talking to the developers - e.g. 500 homes will be the trigger for the Quicksilver roundabout. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Mr Fox: "There's always room within a legal agreement to come back and revisit these conditions." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
First public speaker is G. M. O'Sullivan: "It is shameful that you are holding important discussions in a way of marginalising those who would have attended in person. 9/11 and a way to bury bad news spring to mind." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"With this latest piece of chicanery, SSDC sinks to a whole new low." She's referencing this article I put together yesterday: somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-… #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"Virtual meetings achieved via conferencing tools achieve a fraction of what real meetings can." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"What is the urgency for this meeting to go ahead, in this manner, at this time of national emergency?" That's Gwen O'Sullivan, chairwoman of #Barwick and #Stoford Parish Council. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Gubbins reminds Ms O'Sullivan that the main approval for the plans was given in December 2019 - this small section about highways is all that is being discussed. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Nicholas Entwistle on the Quicksilver roundabout: "The fact that your consultants have failed to be specific provides grounds to be suspicious about these figures." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"The Keyford development will generate 900 cars. Use of public transport is falling in #Somerset, cycle use is flat, so most of these new homeowners will be on the local roads." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"Add to this record low fuel prices and a post-#COVID19 economy where the government will be encouraging activity." He said UK cycling rates have fallen steadily since 2002. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"Is this another example of over-optimistic gambling?" He says the cycle path is a "white elephant". #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"We will not cease from ensuring that you are held to account for your decisions and the impact it has on our local communities." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Mike Beckerleg (#EastCoker Parish Council): "We cannot disguise our disappointment that you have decided to push forward with this meeting with minimal notice. The impact of this development has serious consequences for our communities." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"The Quicksilver roundabouts should be carried out prior to any development of the urban extension, to reduce the disruption this will cause to the local area." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"We have repeatedly raised issues with the Little Tarrat Lane junction, and feel we have not been taken seriously." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"This crisis highlights the folly of building on grade one agricultural land and increasing our reliance on imports." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
John Bishop (on behalf of the Keyford landowners, the applicants): "The proposed cycle path will smooth out the gradient, and has been professionally designed." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"Since the December committee, we have commissioned further analysis of the roundabout. Traffic growth since 2003 has been lower than predicted." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
The land required to widen the Quicksilver roundabout is owned by @SomersetCouncil. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"An early decision would help us to meet the need for new houses in #Yeovil when the market recovers." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @PeterSeib wants confirmation that these conditions won't "relieve @SomersetCouncil out of providing whatever is needed". Simon Fox confirms that is the case. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Tony Lock is happy with the proposal - he's pushing to go straight to the vote. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @NicolaClarkLD (ward member): "While I understand that we have to move forward with virtual meetings, this is an important application that will affect many communities." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
"Many homes do not have the necessary equipment to access these meetings. A little more notice would have been helpful." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Alan Smith is pushing for a deferral - but Cllr Gubbins said a majority of members did not want this when he put out an informal email about this. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @PeterSeib: "There are currently 47 people in this meeting. That's a pretty good attendance for #areasouth." #LDReporter #Somerset
Cllr Gubbins: "When you see how many hecklers we've had - I'd call them something else, but hecklers for now - it's clear word has got around about this debate." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
That is APPROVED by 12 votes to 1 (@NicolaClarkLD) with two abstentions (Cllr Mike Lock and Cllr Pauline Lock). #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Next item is an update on the iAero centre which is being built in #Yeovil at the moment: modgov.southsomerset.gov.uk/documents/s304… #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @Chestnutters is clarifying that @Southsomersetdc is not a funding partner in this project - the money is coming from @SomersetCouncil, @HeartofSWLEP and @LDO_Helicopters, with money coming the ERDF. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Dave Recardo wants an IT specialist in all future meetings: "Today's interferences from the public have been unwelcome and I don't want to see it again." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr @PeterSeib says someone from democratic services is needed for this purpose. "One of the miscreants pretended to be Peter Gubbins, they put his name on, and I had no choice but to get rid of him." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Gubbins: "If we can get this right and perfect, I think this is the way forward with meetings. It gives the public more opportunity to hear the debate." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
Cllr Tony Lock: "This is a catalyst for the way forward and for other committees to follow." #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
That's it for today - apparently @Southsomersetdc's regulation and #areawest committees will be doing this too. Let's see how well that goes. #LDReporter #Somerset #areasouth
