Agenda item

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

 

SDC/20CM0009

Resolved

 

That the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission for the Infilling of Redundant Quarry with Inert Soils and Clays to include Temporary Soils and Aggregates Recycling and Recovery Facility and Restoration of the Quarry to provide 10 No. Recreational EcoPods subject to a legal agreement controlling vehicle routing and to the conditions and for the reasons contained within Appendix B of the report of the Strategic Director for Communities; with the addition of the removal of Satruday working hours.

Matthew Williams, Senior Planner, presented the report and provided an overview of the application, sharing with the Committee the phased plans for the application site.

 

It was confirmed that the application proposed the following –

 

·         An additional 11 HGV movements per day

·         Working hours of      0800 – 1800 hours (Monday to Friday)

0800 – 1300 hours (Saturday)

·         The restoration of the site would be largely a conservation and habitat area with the inclusion of an EcoPods leisure facility.

 

The Committee noted that there had been significant public interest in the application.  Officers had received 36 representations in addition to those from local parish councils, and the OANB conservation board.  It was noted that there was some acceptance of the proposal but the overriding objection was from the local community and was concerned with the proposed infill and leisure use.

 

The Committee was asked to consider the following factors –

 

·         The location of the waste facilities.

·         Whether the proposal would enhance the AONB

·         Could the objections be solved by the inclusion of the conditions (as attached to the report)

 

The Committee was asked to note that the site will generate noise, but that the project has been designed with noise reduction in place.  Noise assessments have concluded that the noise can be controlled to an acceptable level.  It was noted that there is a propose condition for noise monitoring moving forward should the application be approved

 

There is a proposed dust management plan as part of the conditions.

 

A landscaping impact assessment was submitted with the application and concluded that there were no significant effects on the site. Warwickshire County Council landscape team agreed and stated the restoration will be beneficial in the long term.

 

Wheel washing facilities have been proposed as well as additional conditions to ensure road is kept clean.

 

Following a question from Councillor Chris Mills, it was confirmed that the material being bought to the site will be from the local area but will depend on where new development sites are.

 

Following a question from Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince, it was confirmed that there will be a vehicle movement agreement put in place which is enforceable if not complied with. There is an enforceable condition limiting the number of HGV movements per day (22 in total).   It was also confirmed that there had been no objections raised by Highways Officers in relation to the application.

 

PUBLIC SPEAKING

 

Mr. Adrian Berry, local resident, addressed the Committee in relation to the application and concerns from residents.  Concerns in relation to the environmental impact of the quarry were highlighted, including traffic, noise, dust and light pollution.

 

Mr. Berry stated that there would be an increase in heavy traffic in the area with concerns about HGVs travelling through Edgehill and Ratley; irrespective of any requirements not to do so.  Residents have low confidence in the existing signage.

 

Ms. Veronica Walters, local resident, addressed the Committee and highlighted concerns in relation to the Warwickshire County Council Waste Strategy, which states that sites such as the proposed site, should be established on the boundaries of already established towns.  Edgehill is an AONB and does not conform to the requirements set out in the strategy.

 

Ms. Walters stated that residents were concerned that HGV drivers would not follow the routes stated and that HGV movements, six days a week for twelve years will have an immense impact on the village. 

 

The Committee was asked to consider the costs likely to be faced by Warwickshire County Council for enforcing conditions at the site that will be broken. 

 

The Committee heard that further concerns included the quality of infill being used.  The Committee was asked to note that the adverse effects of dust from the site are cited in the report and this is a concern for residents.    This is an inappropriate development, with enduring and negative consequences to the lives of residents.

 

Mr. Michael Adkins, local resident, spoke to the Committee in relation to concerns about the proposed application, stating that he strongly opposes what is an ill-advised application for the area.  The Committee noted that Mr. Adkins stated that in the past there had been excessive noise nuisance from the site that only stopped with intervention from Warwickshire County Council.

 

Mr. Adkins stated that the biggest threat to the village would be the dust from the site, with no guarantee that it will not contain any harmful substances.

 

Mr. Stephen Rice, on behalf of the applicant, spoke to the Committee in order to address some of the concerns raised during the meetings.  Mr. Rice confirmed that the routing agreement, as part of the conditions of the application, will not allow any vehicles to pass through the village.  It is made categorically clear to all HGV drivers that this condition is enforceable and that it will be.  The Committee was asked to note that residents have been asked to provide photographs of HGVs coming through the village but that no evidence has so far been submitted to support the claims.

 

With reference to the concerns about the materials being bought onto the site, Mr. Rice stated that it was clear that every site similar to the proposed application site, is regulated by the council and the Environment Agency.  The material on site will not include asbestos or other hazardous material.  The owner of the site will not allow this to happen.

 

Mr. Rice continued by stating that the advantages of the development will benefit the locals with footpaths created through the site to link to other sites in the area that are currently only accessible via roads with no pavements.

 

Mr. Simon Pile, on behalf of the applicant, confirmed to the Committee that there had only been one complaint made against the site in the last five years (in 2017).  There have been no other complaints in relation to noise, dust or traffic.

 

Mr. Pile continued by noting that the site will require a permit from the Environment Agency before it can be operational – this will ensure that processes in place do not have an adverse environmental impact; any breaches are enforceable by criminal prosecution.

 

DEBATE

 

Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince questioned if the work on site could be finished ahead of the proposed 12 years.  In addition, Councillor Simpson-Vince asked if the proposed working hours on a Saturday could be removed.  As the application stands, the 22 HGV movements could apply on a Saturday even with a proposed reduction in working hours.

 

Councillor Chris Mills raised a concern in relation to the EcoPods.  Work is planned to start in five years on the glamping pods, but the site would not be complete for 12 years – would glampers want to use the site while work is ongoing?  Councillor Mills also raised concerns in relation to the disturbance to local wildlife; questioning that although the finished site would perhaps attract wildlife, there would undoubtably be an impact during the 12 years’ work.

 

Councillor Jan Matecki raised concerns in relation to the recycling facilities and whether the benefit of the site would outweigh the impact on loses such as the AONB.

 

Councillor Kerridge also raised concerns about the Saturday working hours stating that they should be restricted.  The area is an AONB and normal standards should not necessarily apply.  The site is close to a community and that must be considered.  The current activity is scheduled to cease later this year – this application would allow it to continue for an additional 12 years.  Peace and quiet is appropriate in an AONB.  HGV traffic, however little or managed, is inappropriate in this area.

 

Councillor Judy Falp supported the proposed removal of Saturday working hours but reminded the Committee that refusal of the application must be made on strong planning grounds.

 

Councillor Simpson-Vince asked the officer what would happen if the Committee did refuse the application.  Matthew Williams confirmed that minimal restoration would still be required. 

 

Following the questions and points of debate, Matthew Williams confirmed that the hours of operation could be reviewed, to consider the Committee’s points about Saturday working.  Councillor Matecki responded by asking that if the Saturday hours were removed, would this mean that the project would need to be extended beyond the proposed 12 years?  Simon Pile, applicant, was able to confirm that the transport assessment did not consider 22 HGV movements on a Saturday.  Development sites, where the material would be coming from, do not work on Saturday. Loosing Saturday working hours would mean that the site operators would lose time dealing with the material on site and not bring material into the site.

 

An amended recommendation was proposed by Councillor Jan Matecki to reject the application on the grounds that the recycling facility on its’ own would not be acceptable in the location.  The amended recommendation was seconded by Councillor Chris Mills.

 

A vote was held, and there were 4 votes for the amended recommendation, and five votes against.  Therefore, the amended recommendation was rejected by the Committee.

 

Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince proposed the original recommendation, with the addition of a condition to remove Saturday working hours.  Councillor Judy Falp seconded the proposal.

 

A vote was held and there were 5 votes in favour of the application (with the removal of Saturday working).  There were two votes against the proposal and two abstentions.

 

Therefore, the recommendation was approved by the Committee with the agreement to remove the Saturday working hours.

 

Resolved

 

That the Regulatory Committee authorises the grant of planning permission for the Infilling of Redundant Quarry with Inert Soils and Clays to include Temporary Soils and Aggregates Recycling and Recovery Facility and Restoration of the Quarry to provide 10 No. Recreational EcoPods subject to a legal agreement controlling vehicle routing and to the conditions and for the reasons contained within Appendix B of the report of the Strategic Director for Communities; with the addition of the removal of Saturday working hours.