Agenda item

Matthew Williams, Senior Planning Officer presented the report to the Committee confirming that the application site was a former clay and limestone quarry.  The application seeks permission to backfill the quarry with inert material sourced from the High-Speed Rail (HS2) construction project.  The following points were highlighted to the Committee–

-        Importation of the inert material would be by rail only.

-        All concerns raised in relation to noise, light and dust have been meet by the conditions in Appendix B; including the construction of acoustic fencing.

-        Footpaths will be reinstated after the work was completed.

-        As part of the conditions attached to the application, it was confirmed that on completion of the infilling a landscaping scheme will be in place to restore the potential for the creation of valuable wildlife habitats.

-        The site has been out of use for several years; the proposed application would introduce a period of intense activity to the site which would result in environmental effects and impacts.

-        The applicant (Cemex UK Operations Ltd) made a commitment to establish a public liaison group should the application be approved, to provide a point of contact for residents and a strong line of communication between both sides.

Following questions from the Committee the following points were confirmed;

-        The secure fencing currently in place at the application site will be reviewed upon completion of the development.

-        A comprehensive noise assessment was carried out and concluded that the development could be undertaken without significant adverse impact on the neighbouring properties.

-        Should the HS2 project be unable to provide enough material for the application, other inert material would be sourced but would only be able to access the site by rail.

Debate

Councillor John Cooke stated that he did have some reservations about the application and would like to see within the S106 details of the application, a commitment to the liaison group previously mentioned.

Councillor Bill Gifford stated that despite some concerns about the applications, in the long term there would be benefits.  Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince agreed that brining the site back to a useable state for the local community would be beneficial in the long term but stated that there should be a written commitment to the liaison group.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Bill Gifford and was seconded by Councillor John Cooke. A vote was held and there were nine votes in favour of the application and one vote against the application with one member abstaining. Councillor Margaret Bell did not take part in the vote.

Resolved

That the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission to allow the importation of inert restoration material by rail to the rail siding along the southern side of Parkfield Quarry, the offloading of the inert material and transportation to the quarry void for backfill restoration, the construction of a temporary hard standing area for the rail offloading and internal vehicle movements, the construction of temporary acoustic screen walls and screen bunds, the implementation of phased backfill restoration programme, and the implementation of a comprehensive restoration scheme with a range of land uses together with the reinstatement of public rights of way subject to the conditions and for the reasons and with the notices and statements contained within Appendix B of the report of the Strategic Director for Communities.

Subject to additional conditions:

Only inert waste materials may be deposited on the site and the completion of a Section 106 Agreement in order to formalise arrangements for the creation of a resident’s liaison group.