Agenda item

Planning application RBC/20CM002: Land at Ling Hall Quarry Landfill Site, Coalpit Lane, Lawford Heath, Rugby, CV23 9HH

Planning Application details, including all documents and plans, can

be found via the following link - Planning Application RBC/20CM002

Minutes:

Sally Panayi, Senior Planner, presented the report to the Committee confirming the location and site area.  It was noted that the site was in the Green Belt.

 

It was confirmed that permission was sought for the variation of condition 53 of planning permission R16/890805 which was granted in 1991.  As a result of a reduction in landfill rates due to increased recycling following changes to Government policy, there remains a 4 million cubic metre void space on site. The application is seeking to extend the life of the landfill for an additional 10 years to comply with the landfill restoration and profiling agreed by the original planning permission in 1991.  It was proposed that Condition 3 (relating to a Landscape and Environmental Management Plan) be redrafted and that Conditions 15 and 16 (relating to restoration and aftercare be removed to avoid duplication and for technical clarification.

 

The following points were highlighted to the Committee –

 

·         Odour; Environmental Health (EA) investigated complaints relating to odour from the site over the summer of 2020 but they were found to be unsubstantiated.  Control of odours from the site is managed under the EA Permit.

 

·         Dust & Asbestos; EA advised that no additional conditions were needed, and that sufficient controls and adequate procedures are already in place.

 

·         Litter; complaints have been received regarding litter from the site.  It was confirmed that severe storms early in 2020 caused damage to the litter fence which resulted in the release of litter from the site.  It was confirmed that following this, the site had arranged for litter pickers to collect the litter.  It was noted that when bad weather, particularly high winds, were forecast, the site shuts down operations completely.  The EA confirmed that it had no further recommendations.

 

·         HGV movements; concerns were raised in relation to vehicle movement to and from the site.  The Committee noted that there is a S106 agreement in place to control the movement of vehicles. Complaints were also raised about parking of vehicles on the highway before the site opens. The applicant has written to operators to ask them not to do this, but this issue is not always within the applicant’s control.

 

·         Flooding/Surface Water; following concerns in relation to flooding and surface water on site, it was confirmed that a Surface Water Management Plan was in place as part of the permit from the EA.  Following a question from Councillor Caroline Phillips, it was confirmed that some of the ditches that flood are part of the public highway and out of the control of the applicant.  The applicant fulfils their duty in relation to the ditches and water ways on their land.

Public Speaker

 

Mr. Dale Aston from Lawford Lodge Farm spoke in objection to the application.  Concerns were raised by Mr. Aston in relation to the systematic checks carried out by the Environment Agency and that they did not appear to be completed following complaints or concerns from local residents.  Mr. Aston stated that he was disappointed that there were no representatives from the EA at the meeting and suggested that a site visit would allow members of the Committee to see the condition of the site.  Mr. Aston questioned how Warwickshire County Council was monitoring the issues that were raised such as litter and odour and requested conditions on these matters.

 

Chris Lowden (SLR Consulting) spoke in support of the application.  Mr. Lowden confirmed that a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment had been completed for the application and that the site is important for disposing of residual waste.  Mr. Lowden stated that all objections had been fully examined and that the vast majority were not the fault of the applicant.  It was confirmed to the Committee that the issue of litter at the start of the year was as a result of unprecedented weather conditions and that litter nets had been damaged.  Litter pickers were employed to resolve the situation and the site is closed during bad weather if needed.

 

Following debate, it was agreed by the Committee that the conditions should be amended as proposed by Sally Panayi, following consultation with the Chair, and that the Chair would consider with the officers further changes to the S106 to strengthen the discipline exerted over vehicle routes.  A revised version of the conditions can be found on the Warwickshire County Council website. 

 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Clive Rickhards and was seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick. A vote was held, and the Committee voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation to grant planning permission.

 

Resolved

 

That, subject to the completion of satisfactory modifications to the section 106 obligations, the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission for the variation of condition 53 to extend the life of the landfill and the associated waste management facilities, for a further 10 years until 14th May 2031, subject to the conditions (amended as proposed by Sally Panayi) and for the reasons contained within Appendices B and C of the report of the Strategic Director for Communities .

Supporting documents: