Issue - meetings

Documents in relation to this application can be found via the following link –

RBC/20CM014

Sally Panayi, Senior Planner, presented the report to the Committee, confirming the location, and size, of the application site, including information in relation to the nearest residential properties.

The following points were confirmed to the Committee –

·         The applicant would like the field to return to a more agricultural use.

·         There has been little or no restoration at the site up until this application.

·         The land would need to be re-graded with topsoil which would mean over 6,500 vehicle movements over 2 years to set up the site.

·         Newton Lane; open access would be required to allow HGV’s to pass and would be secured by a gate set back from the highway.

·         The current access point would need to be widened.

·         A turning point would need to be created.

·         The existing hedge height would need to be reduced to allow HGV visibility.

The application proposes 26 HGV movements per day, however, the Committee noted that this may increase during dry/summer months.  It was noted that there is a condition recommended to restrict this to a maximum of 40 movements per day to ensure there are not too many vehicles during the summer months.

It was noted that there are no objections to the application from Rugby Borough Council Environment Health Officers, subject to conditions in relation to the control of noise from HGV reverse alarms and restricting hours of working.

It was confirmed that the operations are likely to require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency.

It is proposed that topsoil would be imported to the application site from a storage yard at The Fisheries located approximately 1.7 km away and it was noted that the local Parish Council has raised concerns that there will not be enough at this site.  It was noted that there is a condition in place that material only comes from The Fisheries to ensure that vehicle movements are limited to the short distance.  It was confirmed that Highways England is happy with the conditions proposed following consultation with Warwickshire County Council Officers.

Following a question from Councillor Justin Kerridge, it was confirmed that the application is for agricultural improvement, rather than waste disposal for material from The Fisheries and that the applicant is keen to have the proposed amount on site in order to create a more level surface that can be operated on.

Councillor Kerridge raised concerns about the operating hours and it was confirmed that the proposed hours were standard hours agreed with Rugby Borough Council.  The Committee was asked to consider that any reduction in operating hours, such as removing Saturday hours, would mean that the operation could take longer than the proposed two years to complete.

Councillor Adrian Warwick raised strong concerns in relation to the HGV movements and the nearby village of Newton.  It was confirmed that there is a recommended condition that means vehicles could only come from The Fisheries, meaning that they would avoid Newton.

In relation to a question from Jill Simpson Vince, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3