Agenda item

Mr O Grundy, representing the applicant, commented as follows:-

·         The proposed developments sought an additional 230,000 tonnes per annum of recyclable waste to be received and processed.

·         The Materials Recovery Facility had recently transitioned to a 'just in time' system of product supply, which meant that production of Solid Replacement Fuel (SRF) and other recycled materials was timed to coincide with scheduled deliveries. This minimised the need for large scale stockpiling of baled fuel and gypsum products. Two new SRF product storage areas had been constructed and these provided sufficient space to accommodate an additional 1900+ SRF bales. These measures would allow the proposed increased tonnages of waste plasterboard and dry mixed recyclable materials to be amply accommodated within the established facility. The Environment Agency had now granted the site a permit for the processing of up to 360,000 tonnes of material per annum.

·         An environmental impact assessment had been submitted and the intensification of operations would not have any adverse impact upon the surrounding area. Traffic flow along the local highway network would increase by approximately 140 trips per day. It was proposed to provide a right turn lane within the section of High Dike Road adjoining the site access and to introduce travel planning measures.

·         44 jobs would be created. Should planning permission be refused, the company would need to make redundancies to remain commercially viable. Planning permission would have a significant positive impact upon the local economy.

·         It was important to support developments that addressed the management of waste streams. The applications would allow an increased quantity of waste to be processed within an established facility. This reduced the need for further waste management development upon outlying sites. The proposals were sustainable and compliant with all relevant planning policy.

Oliver Grundy's responses to questions included:-

·    A wheel wash had not been provided on the site because the site handled dry waste and a good system of cleanliness was maintained on the site. Mud on the road came from agricultural traffic as there were a number of farms in the area.

·    The RDF comprised polymer compounds including rigid plastics and hydro-carbons and there was a growing demand for this for fuel.

·    With regard to operating the "just in time" or increasing the storage capacity of the site he stated that the applicant was increasing the capacity of the site and maximising the existing space as there were not any designated areas for storage on site at the moment.

·    An explanation was given of how the mini-bus service for employees would work.

Comments by the Committee and the responses of officers, where appropriate, included:-

·         The planning conditions did not specify when the right turning facility would be installed and in view of the damage already caused to the verge near the applicant's site this condition needed to be implemented as soon as possible. Officers stated that the works would be secured through a S278 Agreement and a condition had been recommended as part of planning application No. 18/0299/CCC. Officers stated that as the application was retrospective it was difficult to impose an enforceable condition that would require the works to be completed sooner. However, a condition was recommended that would restrict any increase in activity until the necessary highway works had been completed.

·         Warning signs on the B6403 (High Dike Road) were needed in advance of the applicant's site because traffic travelled fast on this road. Officers stated that any signs could potentially be considered and installed as part of the S278 Agreement.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE, seconded by Councillor T R Ashton, that a condition to secure the highway improvement works to provide a ghost island/right hand turn lane into the site recommended for application No. 18/0299/CCC should also apply to application No. 18/0298/CCC. This was unanimously agreed.

The substantive motion was moved by Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE, seconded by Councillor P Skinner, it was –

RESOLVED (unanimous)

(a) That, in respect of application No. 18/0298/CCC (Application 1) planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in Appendix B of the report and an additional condition that highway improvement works to provide a ghost island/right hand turn lane into the site required to be carried out and completed for application No. 18/0299/CCC should also apply to application No. 18/0298/CCC to ensure that these highway works were carried out as soon as possible.

(b) That, in respect of application No. 18/0299/CCC (Application No. 2), planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in Appendix C of the report.

(c) That, in respect of planning application No. 18/0297/CCC (Application 3), planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in Appendix D of the report.

(d) That this report forms part of the Council's Statement pursuant to Regulation 30 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 which requires the Council to make available for public inspection at the District Council's Offices specified information regarding the decision as detailed in the report.