Contact: Neil Chester, ext 6496

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought to extend the time period for the importation of excavated sub-soil material from the nearby housing development. The current permission expires in October 2002 and the proposal is to extend the time period until October 2003. The original planning permission was granted in June 2000 and the time period has been extended twice, the first time in February 2001 (BDB49556) and the second in January 2002 (BDB51875). Kennel Farm provides a suitable site for the disposal of inert materials without creating significant additional traffic movements. The proposal is, however, the third extension of time on this site and therefore will lead to a continued impact on the amenity of the local area.

1.2 Notwithstanding the detrimental effects on local amenity, it is recommended that permission be granted, because of the need for the development and the proximity of the site to the source of the waste material.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The application site, illustrated on the attached plan, is approximately 5.10 hectares in area and is located off Beggarwood Lane. The site lies immediately south of the M3 and was formally a grazed field. The original application was to import approximately 22,000 cubic metres of sub-soil material and raise the level of the land by a maximum of 500 millimetres. The site would then be restored to agricultural use within six months of the cessation of the development.

2.2 The proposal is to vary Condition (1) of planning permission BDB51875 to extend the period of time to implement the development. The delay has been caused by the fact that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has not yet determined an application for reserved matters approval on the Kempshott Park site to the north of the M3. Consequently, the material has not yet been excavated from the housing site.

2.3 The southern area of the proposal site is already to the required level, although part of the northern area, adjacent to the M3 and in view of the motorway, remains lower. The proposal is to extend the time of the development to allow the continued importation of fill material and enable restoration to the agreed levels.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted December 1998) Policy 41 refers to the disposal of waste from major construction projects (see attached appendix).

4. Consultation

4.1 Dummer Parish Council objects to any further extension of the time limit, as this is the third application to extend the time limit on this development.

4.2 The Environment Agency raises no objections to this proposal.

4.3 The Highways Agency has no comments to make on this proposal.

4.4 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Environmental Health Officer has no objections to this proposal.

4.5 English Nature raises no objections to the proposal.

4.6 The County Surveyor raises no objections to the proposal, subject to any existing conditions being adhered to.

4.7 The Local Member, Councillor Mrs NcNair Scott, has been informed of the proposal.

5. Borough Council's Views

5.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has not commented on the proposal.

6. County Planning Officer's Comments

6.1 The proposal is to extend the time limit on the importation of fill material at Beggarwood Lane, Kennel Farm. There have already been two extensions of time on this site. The site is partially restored, although further material is needed to enable complete restoration.

6.2 This proposal is linked to the major housing development at the Kempshott Park site north of the M3. The excavated material (primarily chalk) is transported from the housing site, through the M3 underpass and onto the application site. Therefore, the close proximity of the proposal site enables disposal of the waste material without placing additional pressure on the local road network. This accords with Policy 41, which states that the disposal of waste at this site "will result in less traffic impact than the use of existing waste disposal facilities". An alternative site may result in increased traffic using the existing public highway.

6.3 The Parish Council is concerned that a further extension of time for this development would lead to a prolonged reduction in the visual amenity of this site. This concern is not unfounded. However, the continuation of this development will not result in any additional damage to the landscape.

6.4 If granted, this will be the third extension of time at this site. The reason for the latest delay is that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has not yet determined an application for the latest phase of the housing development and therefore the fill material is not available. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council states that the housing application is near to determination and is likely to receive an officer recommendation of approval. Therefore there will be a need for the proposed extension of time to allow for disposal of the excavated material. The applicants state that they are keen to finalise the works and restore the land as soon possible.

6.5 On balance, it is considered that the proximity of the application in relation to the source of the waste material and the minimal use of the highway network is a more important consideration than the temporary reduction in the visual amenity of the area. Accordingly, it is recommended that the application by Derwent Developments Limited be granted, subject to conditions.

Recommendation

That planning permission for the variation of Condition (1) of planning permission BDB51875 to extend the time period for the removal of topsoil and replacement with a layer of suitable fill and replacement of topsoil at Beggarwood Lane, Kennel Farm, Basingstoke (Application No. BDB53915) be granted, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The tipping hereby permitted shall cease by 31 October 2003 and the site shall be restored to agriculture within a period of six months thereafter, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: To secure the proper restoration of the site within a reasonable timescale.

(2) Waste tipped at the site shall be restricted to chalk and earth spoil from the Beggarwood Lane development site only.

Reason: To prevent pollution and to minimise traffic movements.

(3) Within one month of the date of this consent a drainage scheme shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The scheme shall provide for the drainage of surface water from the site during the site's operation and on completion of restoration. The scheme shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To secure the satisfactory drainage of the site.

(4) Access to the site shall be from Beggarwood Lane via the underpass under the M3 only.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(5) No vehicle shall enter Beggarwood Lane and the underpass beneath the M3 unless its wheels and chassis are clean.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to prevent mud getting onto the highway.

(6) No tipping or development shall take place within the crown spread of any of the trees which adjoin the site boundary.

Reason: In order to protect adjoining trees.

(7) No operations shall be carried out at the site except between 0730 and 1800 hours Monday to Friday and between 0730 and 1300 hours on Saturday. There shall be no operations on Sunday or bank holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(8) Within three months of the date of this consent a restoration scheme shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The site shall be restored to agriculture in accordance with the approved scheme.

Reason: To secure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

(9) As part of the site's restoration all machinery, plant, hardstandings and haul roads shall be removed from the site.

Reason: To secure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

(10) Within three months of the date of this consent an after-care scheme, requiring such steps as may be necessary to bring each phase of the land restored under Condition (8) above to the required standard for agriculture, shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval. The after-care scheme shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To secure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

(11) After-care of the restored area shall take place for a period of five years in accordance with the approved after-care scheme.

Reason: To secure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

7441/NC

APPENDIX

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

Policy 41

The Waste Planning Authorities will not permit the disposal of waste material from specific major construction projects by landfilling or landraising, unless they are satisfied that:

(i) the waste material cannot reasonably and practicably be re-used or recycled and that there is a clearly identified need for the disposal of the waste which cannot reasonably and satisfactorily be met by existing waste disposal facilities and which outweighs any adverse environmental impact or other detrimental effect that the development would be likely to cause; and

(ii) the site is only to be used for the disposal of waste arising from the specific construction project with which it is associated; and

(iii) either the site is within the 'area of disturbance' created by the construction project or it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Waste Planning Authority that disposal of the waste at the site would result in less environmental disturbance and traffic impact than the use of existing waste disposal facilities; and

(iv) the routeing of lorries between the waste disposal site and the construction project minimises the use of public highways and undue interference with footpaths and bridleways; and

(v) the site is located so as to avoid unacceptable environmental impact, including noise intrusion and impact on landscape, nature conservation and archaeological interests; and

(vi) the development provides for a phased programme of waste disposal and restoration such that the site is restored to a satisfactory landform suitable for an agreed beneficial after-use prior to the completion of the construction project.