Decision details

An update sheet was tabled and is attachedto the minutes as Annex 1.

Officers:

Alan Stones, Planning, Development and Control Team Manager

Mark O’Hare, Senior Planning Officer

Caroline Smith, Transport Development Team Manager

Nancy El-Shatoury, Principle Solicitor

Speakers:

Anthony Goodall, a Local Resident, made representations in objection to the application.  The following points were raised:

·         Informed the Committee that he was a retired Chartered Engineer.

·         Noted that the planning permission obtained for the application lapsed in 2006.

·         Expressed that the air quality report was questionable.

·         Requested an amendment to the condition regarding damage to wildlife

·         Told the Committee that there was no gas emission information available for around 15 years

·         Expressed that the application should be denied for the applicant to submit a re-design.

Robert Dance, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application. The following points were made:

·         Informed the Committee that external companies had been worked with to develop a plan.

·         The application was before the committee again to address any new factors which have emerged since the committee gave planning permission in 2014.  A key issue is update guidance on air quality.

·         Noted that the pre-commencement activities that were required were ready to submit

·         The applicant was in the process of a reptile re-location programme around the site

·         Informed the Committee that the site had been trespassed and vandalised, more secure fencing would be erected.

·         Told the Committee that the consulted air quality specialist groups had agreed the report conclusions

·         A public consultation group would be established.

The Local Member, David Munro, registered to speak and made the following points in reference to the application:

·         Noted that once the application is permitted the applicant can begin implementing the conditions

·         Expressed local concern of the barbed wire on site

·         Expressed the importance of the full involvement of the community

David Munro then left the room at 11.20am.

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Senior Planning Officer introduced the report and informed the Committee that the application was first permitted on 3 September 2014; the current application was to extract sand and clay then infill with restoration within 15 years.  There had been no objections from technical consultees.  It was added that there was new air quality guidance in place and consultees agreed with the site plans.  Members were informed that the applicant had undertaken reptile re-location and ground water monitoring.

2.    A Member noted that the reason for the item coming back to Committee was the Kides protocol.  It was expressed that issues considered the last time did not need to be re-considered.

3.    It was queried whether the site was in an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), officers commented that it was not, pollution monitoring was in place nearby.  It was added that the site would need to be closely monitored to find out how the site affects the AQMA.

4.    The Committee was informed that the recent vehicle pollution guidance had been reduced to 200 vehicle movements per day, the maximum the site would have daily would be 170.

5.    Members were informed that everything proposed was in line with national policy; the air quality tests satisfied tests and were approved by officers.

Resolved:

The Committee resolved to PERMIT the applicationsubject to conditions for the reasons set out in the report.

Action/further information required:

None.