Agenda item

(NOTE: Councillor C L Strange requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was a member of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Advisory Committee)

Since the publication of the report a response to consultation had been received from Executive Councillor C J Davie for Economy and Place, the local Member, stating that he fully supported the officer's recommendations in the report and therefore supported the approval of the application.

Oliver Craven, representing the applicant, was in attendance to respond to questions from Members. He stated that as he fully supported the recommendations in the report he did not propose to address the Committee.

Questions from Members to Oliver Craven included:-

·         It was noted that there was a shortage of trees around the applicant's site and was it possible for more trees to be planted? There was a shortage of trees, generally, in Lincolnshire. Oliver Craven stated that this request could not be considered as this application appertained to the base of the quarry which could not be seen. However, he would advise the applicant of the Member's wishes.

·         Was any machinery on the site used all the time? Oliver Craven stated that there many machines used on the site but there were periods when they were not in use.

·         What traffic increase would take place on the site? Oliver Craven stated that there would be a maximum daily increase of ten vehicles arriving into the site and ten vehicles leaving the site although in reality it was expected to be less than this. It was likely that any increase in aggregate output would coincide with a reduction in chalk output as recycled aggregate was more in demand.

Members' comments included an enquiry about enforcement and whether it was possible to control HGV movements under the terms of the quarrying permissions and over the years the site had expanded and now housed a range of different operations and activities. Given the range of activities it was difficult to differentiate traffic movements associated with each and therefore to impose enforceable conditions to restrict total movements.

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood, seconded by Councillor T R Ashton, it was –

RESOLVED (11 votes for, 0 votes against and 1 abstention. Note: Councillor D McNally had left the meeting during the discussion and voting on this matter)

(a)  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. Pursuant to Regulation 30(1) (d) the Council must make available for public inspection a statement which contains:-

·         the reasoned conclusion of the Council on the significant effects of the development on the environment, taking into account an examination of the environmental information;

·         any conditions to which the decision is subject which relate to the likely significant environmental effects of the development on the environment;

·         a description of any features of the development and any measures envisaged in order to avoid, prevent, reduce and, if possible, offset likely significant adverse effects on the environment;

·         any monitoring measures considered appropriate by the Council;

·         the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public;

·         a summary of the results of the consultations undertaken, and

information gathered, in respect of the application and how those results have been incorporated or otherwise addressed;

·      information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the  decision and the procedures for doing so.

(b)  That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report.