Contact: John Priest - Ext: 7336

1. Summary

1.1. The Committee undertook a site visit on 12 February 2002 to consider the Selborne Brickworks application in the light of local concerns.

2. Introduction

2.1. At the site visit the Committee met representatives of East Hampshire District Council, Selborne Parish Council and the Oakhanger Preservation Society and the applicants. The comments of those present are outlined in the ensuing paragraphs. A copy of the report for the site visit is attached as an appendix to this report.

3. Comments of the County Planning Officer

3.1. The County Planning Officer advised that the purpose of the application was to recycle construction waste which would be brought to the site in connection with the filling of a void caused by the extraction of clay for the brickworks. An appeal was currently ongoing to determine the life of the clay extraction and the recycling permission, if granted, would be contemporaneous with it. The application would have to be considered in the light of the balance to be sought between the environmental benefits of recycling and the perceived noise, dust and traffic problems.

3.2. The meeting was advised that the applicants were prepared to enter into a legal agreement to regularise the current voluntary lorry access route which avoids Oakhanger village; the County Surveyor had advised that remedial works in respect of grass verges which had been overrun by lorries visiting the site would cost up to £10,000.

4. Comments of the East Hampshire District Council Representatives

4.1. The East Hampshire District Council representatives advised that the relevant District Planning Committee would be considering the application on 21 February and that concerns had been expressed in respect of the impact of traffic on local roads, noise impact on nearby neighbours, the nearest dwelling being some 200 yards distant and the situation of the site just outside the Hangers Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All surrounding land lies within the proposed South Downs National Park.

5. Comments of the Selborne Parish Council Representatives

5.1. The Selborne Parish Council representatives were concerned that the recycling would result in the filling of the void taking longer and would extend the period of operation of the brickworks. They recognised that the proposed lorry routeing agreement would avoid Blackmore and Oakhanger villages but impact badly on three businesses.

5.2. Mr Duckworth of the Oakhanger Preservation Society expressed support for the views of the Parish Council and advised that local residents do not use Latchford Lane because of the lorry traffic.

6. Comments of the Applicants

6.1. Mr Gosling stressed that modern technology had allowed very quiet screens to be used; there would be no additional lorry movements from those currently permitted should the recycling application be approved. (i.e. 400 tonnes of material per day which equated to 20 to 27 vehicles).

7. Points made by Regulatory Committee Members

7.1. In response to points made Members were advised that if the void was not filled by the permitted time the situation would have to be reconsidered. The noise levels from a crusher which would be brought on to the site for specific periods should not be much higher than the screen which was being operated during the visit. (NB. A crusher was brought to the site on 21 February to enable participants in the visit to view its operations). The crusher would operate between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. for 5½ days a week during two to three week periods.

8. Further comments of the County Planning Officer

8.1. The principle of recycling at a permitted landfill site is in accordance with policy. The issues are the impact on local residents, whether the proposal would prolong operations at the site and the impact of the lorry traffic. It is possible to address these concerns through planning conditions concerning noise, volume of material brought to the site and the number of days on which the proposed concrete crusher is operational. However, in view of the concerns which have been raised it is considered appropriate to recommend a temporary consent for 3 years to enable the operations to be monitored and reviewed.

Recommendation

That, subject to a legal agreement to provide a financial contribution to off-site highway works and lorry routeing, planning permission in respect of the proposed construction waste recycling facility at Selborne Brickworks, Honey Lane, Selborne (F20661/035/CMA) be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun within 6 months of the date of this approval.

Reason: To comply with Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.


2. The recycling shall cease and the site restored in accordance with condition 11 below by 28 February 2005 or on the completion of tipping within the Selborne Brickworks site, whichever is the sooner.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.


3. The only vehicular access to and from the site shall be via the existing access on to Honey Lane as shown on drawing no. 14858018.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.


4. The waste brought to the site for recycling shall be restricted to inert waste arising from construction and demolition and from the Selborne Brickworks resulting from the brick making process.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.


5. No lorry shall turn right out of the site or left into the site to or from the direction of Selborne.

Reason: In the interests of road safety.


6. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority no operations shall take place in accordance with this consent except between the hours of 0700 and 1800 Monday to Friday, and between 0700 and 1300 on Saturday. No operations shall take place on Sundays or public holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.


7. The concrete crusher and soil screener shall be located no closer than 150 metres from the nearest residential dwelling.

Reason: In order to minimise noise disturbance.


8. A water supply of adequate pressure shall be provided where the concrete crusher is sited.

Reason: To ensure suitable dust suppression.


9. The concrete crusher shall be used for a maximum of five working days in any four week period. A record shall be kept on site of the periods of use, and made available to the Waste Planning Authority on request.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.


10. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority the amount of waste brought to the site for recycling shall not result in the landfill site and recycling facility exceeding a total of 400 tonnes of waste per day. A record of daily waste tonnages for landfill and recycling shall be kept at the site and made available for inspection by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to restrict the lorry traffic.


11. On cessation of recycling all plant, machinery, hardstandings and stockpiles shall be removed and the site restored to agriculture.

Reason: To secure restoration of the site.


12. No stockpiles of waste or recycled material shall exceed a height of 5 metres. All stockpiles shall be within the area edged red on drawing no. 14858018.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity.


13. Prior to recycling commencing details of measures to prevent mud being deposited on the highway shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The details shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.


14. Noise from the recycling activities shall not exceed 55dB(A) Leq 1 hour (free field) when measured at any residential dwelling.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

8RR290202