Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for a variation to conditions to extend the time for tipping and restoration by a further two years at Frith Lane Landfill site. In addition, planning permission is sought for the temporary storage of soils on land adjoining the landfill site. The applications were considered by the Regulatory Committee on 17 July 2002, when it was resolved to defer the item to October to allow a site visit by the Committee.

2. Site and Proposals

2.1 The site, illustrated on the attached plan, is located alongside Frith Lane. The access to the site is via a long haul road across the Meon Valley to the A32.

2.2 Planning permission for sand extraction and infilling with inert waste was approved in 1990 following an appeal. The site started operating in 1995. Subsequently, planning consent was granted for clay extraction in 1996 and extending the range of wastes to include contaminated soils was permitted in 1997. The site is divided into three phases. Due to engineering problems there has been a delay in completing Phase 2, and a delay in commencing work on the engineering for Phase 3. As a result of the difficulties no material has been imported since August 2001.

2.3 In order to facilitate the works required at the site, the proposal is to store 30,000 cubic metres of soils and excavated material on 1.5 hectares of land adjoining the landfill site, in addition to the existing soil stockpile.

2.4 The current permission expires on 31 October 2003. In view of the delays, and following a reassessment of the timescales, it is proposed to extend the period for waste tipping and restoration to 31 October 2005. However, Phase 2 would be completed by 30 September 2003. The additional storage is proposed for the same period.

2.5 The nearest house to the site is Frith Farmhouse on the other side of Frith Lane from the site. There are also houses near the site access onto the A32. The haul road to the site crosses the Meon Valley bridleway, which follows the old railway line.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted December 1998) Policies 7 and 10 concern proposals for waste tipping (see attached appendix).

4. Consultations

4.1 Wickham Parish Council requests close monitoring to ensure extension of time is not exceeded.

4.2 The Environment Agency has no comments.

4.3 The County Surveyor (Highways) and Winchester City Council's Environmental Health Officer raise no objection.

4.4 The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs makes no comment on the principle of the proposed storage, but comments on relevant agricultural considerations to be covered by conditions.

4.5 The Ramblers' Association raises no objection.

4.6 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Hindson, has been informed.

4.7 A local resident made a deputation to Committee on 17 July 2002 referring to the poor operation of the site by the previous owners, and requesting that the Committee hold the decision for a year.

5. District Council's Views

5.1 Winchester City Council raises no objection to the application.

6. County Planning Officer's Comments

6.1 The site has had operational difficulties. These difficulties have required extensive engineering works and prevented any landfilling since August 2001. These works are necessary to prevent pollution from the site. The applicant states soil storage is required as there is insufficient space within the site to both carry out future necessary engineering works and provide storage.

6.2 The site has already been operational for a much longer period than originally envisaged, and in the past has given rise to complaints from local residents due to lorry traffic, noise and smell. The issues are therefore the implications for local residents and the environment of the extended area for soil storage and the further period of disturbance.

7450/PDC

APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE, PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHAMPTON MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN (ADOPTED 17 DECEMBER 1998)

Policy 7

The Mineral and Waste Planning Authorities will grant planning permission for minerals and waste development provided they are satisfied that, where appropriate, the proposed development pays due regard to:

(i) the relationship of the proposal site to other properties and land uses (particularly residential and other environmentally sensitive properties) and the likely effects of the proposed development on the locality by reason of noise, dust, smoke, fumes, illumination or any other factor and the need for buffer zones between the development and residential and other properties;

(ii) the likely volume and nature of traffic that would be generated by the proposed development and the suitability of the proposed access to the site and of the road network that would be affected, in terms of highway capacity and safety and environmental impact, and whether any highway improvements required could be carried out satisfactorily without causing unacceptable environmental impact;

(iii) the likely visual impact of the proposed development and the need for additional planting and screening, including planting in advance of the commencement of the development;

(iv) the need to safeguard the character and amenities of individual settlements and to safeguard open gaps between settlements from permanent development which would cause long-term harm to the function of the land;

(v) the likely effects of the proposed development on and the need to protect and safeguard sites of nature conservation, geological, archaeological, historic, architectural and landscape importance and their settings;

(vi) the extent and quality of agricultural land to be taken by the proposed development and the proposals for its subsequent restoration and the likely effects of the proposals on farm structure and management;

(vii) the likely effects of the proposed development on and the need to maintain the distinctive character of the landscape; the likely effects of the proposed development on and the need to safeguard and protect individual species, habitats and landscape features, including woodland, trees and hedgerows; and the likely effects of the proposed development on forestry and woodland management;

(viii) the likely effects of the proposed development on sites used for recreation and public rights of way and the need to protect or secure the satisfactory diversion of public rights of way;

(ix) the likely effects of the proposed development on and the need to safeguard the flow and quality of watercourses, water supplies, floodplains, groundwater, the drainage of the site and adjoining land and the level of the water table in the locality and the likely effects of the proposed development on the immediate setting of any river;

(x) any potential danger to aircraft from birds being attracted to the site;

(xi) the possible amenity implications of any landfill gas that might be generated at the site and of any provisions that might need to be made to deal with it; and

(xii) the likely cumulative impact of the proposed development in combination with any other significant development taking place or permitted to take place in the locality and the need to minimise the impact of mineral extraction and waste disposal operations by securing, where appropriate, the phased release of sites and progression of working and restoration.

Policy 10

The Mineral and Waste Planning Authorities will impose conditions on planning permissions for minerals and waste development to minimise any adverse environmental, traffic or other impact resulting from the development and to ensure appropriate restoration and after-care of the site. Where such impacts cannot adequately be controlled by conditions, the Mineral and Waste Planning Authorities will seek appropriate planning obligations and/or legal agreements in order to control operations and/or to secure the enhancement of the environment or benefit to the local community.