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Preliminary Survey Results
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In April 2008 we distributed a questionnaire to every person on the Electoral Register in the Priddy Parish. Despite the normal apathy to surveys, and indeed given the controversial nature of the questionnaire we received an overwhelming response.
Overall we have had 97 replies from Priddy Parishioners which equates to a high response rate.
The original survey can be viewed here.
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The Mendip Farmers’ Hunt runs its business from Plummers Lane, about 1.5 miles from Priddy village with only 3 houses within half a mile of its operation. The village is shielded from most of the impact of noise from the Hunt’s premises by North Hill, which is over 300m high and located between the kennels and the village itself.The Hunt has an interest in developing Underbarrow Farm, which until recently was Walt Foxwell’s property. Underbarrow Farm has an Agricultural Tie (limiting its use to accommodation for those in agricultural work), is adjacent to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (‘SSSIs’), in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (‘AONB’), is in lead contaminated land and within half a mile of about 30 family homes. The Hunt appears to be preparing a planning application to remove the Agricultural Tie, build kennels for its 60 hounds, stabling for horses, a fleshhouse (where dead farm animals are prepared before being fed to the hounds) and possibly an incinerator (as on their present site).
CANINE supporters believe this development will degrade what is currently a beautiful and tranquil area into a noisy, smelly and intrusive neighbourhood, totally inappropriate for a residential part of Priddy.
CANINE would be interested to discover your responses to the following questions. Please spend a few minutes completing this questionnaire, then return it to CANINE in the Freepost envelope enclosed. You won’t even need a stamp!
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Underbarrow Farm is adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and is known its for rare birds, bats, reptiles, plants and amphibians.
Do you think that this development will have an adverse affect on the local wildlife?
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The Monarch’s Way footpath runs parallel to Underbarrow Farm for several hundred metres until it reaches Fairlady Well. This path is popular with tourists and ramblers, many of whom exercise their dogs along this footpath.
Do you think that the presence of the Hunt kennels, with its 60 hounds, so close to the Monarch’s Way footpath will affect users of the path?
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Priddy residents 1.3m miles from the existing Hunt kennels at Plummers Lane regularly suffer long periods of barking, despite the natural sound barrier provided by North Hill.
Would it concern you if 60 hounds were relocated to Underbarrow Farm?
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Dog faeces can contain the eggs and worms of Toxocara and other parasites. Toxocara may cause blindness, especially in children.
Would it concern you if the verges in and around the village were regularly soiled with dog waste?
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Would it concern you if there was a fleshhouse close to family homes in the village?
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The Wells Road in Priddy is wellknown as a fast stretch of road and has seen many traffic accidents and several fatalities in recent years. The entrance to Underbarrow Farm is narrow and a single track. This access is shared with pedestrians and walkers.
Would it concern you if there was an increase in traffic to and from Underbarrow Farm?
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At least two families in Priddy have pets being treated for lead poisoning which originated from land adjacent to Underbarrow Farm.
Would it concern you that this development would involve increased activity and excavation causing a distubance of what is known to be contaminated land?
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