Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728

1. Summary

1.1 Condition (17) of the planning permission for the Chineham Energy Recovery Incinerator requires the submission of a lighting scheme prior to the plant being commissioned. The reason for the condition was concern that there would be light pollution from the plant, as it would be operational 24 hours a day. The scheme submitted by Hampshire Waste Services Limited (HWS) is designed to meet health and safety and operational requirements. The 28 day consultation period does not expire until 2 December 2002, therefore the recommendation is for the Chief Planning Adviser to the Regulatory Committee to determine the scheme under delegated powers on completion of the consultation period, taking into account any comments received after this meeting.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The Chineham Energy Recovery Incinerator is under construction and the location is shown on the attached plan. It was granted planning permission in January 2000. Condition (17) of the planning permission required the submission of a lighting scheme before the plant was commissioned. The reason for the condition was concern that the plant would be a source of light pollution, as it would be operated 24 hours per day. There were also the facts that some of the materials are translucent and the office accommodation is at a higher level than the mature tree screen on the western boundary.

2.2 HWS states that the lighting design is based on the use of light for health and safety, and practical, operational and aesthetic purposes. The submitted scheme is split between three zones, being external lighting, process area lighting and administration/visitor area lighting.

2.3 The external lighting would be on columns, or on the façade of the building at a height of 9 metres, with spacing of about 9.5 metres. The design would be to prevent upward light escaping. The external lighting would be on during all times of darkness for safety and security purposes.

2.4 At night the plant operators would be in the control room, which is within the building and does not have windows. There is only need for access to process areas intermittently during routine tours, to check the operation of equipment within the plant. Therefore, lights would only be switched on when required for these tours or if maintenance work was needed. In case of mains failure emergency lighting would come on automatically.

2.5 The lights in the administration and visitor areas would be of a standard office variety. Outside normal working hours these lights would be switched off, unless night shift operators need specific access to offices or the mess area.

2.6 The lighting scheme submission includes details of all lighting types to be installed and specifies all locations for each type of lighting.

3. Consultations

3.1 The following have been consulted on the lighting scheme:

- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council;

- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Environmental Health Officer;

- Environment Agency;

- Chineham Parish Council;

- Newnham Parish Council;

- Old Basing Parish Council;

- Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council;

- Countrywatch; and

- Basingstoke Burner Action Campaign (BBAC).

4. Chineham Incinerator Liaison Panel

4.1 The lighting scheme for the Chineham Incinerator was presented at the meeting of the Liaison Panel on 12 November 2002, chaired by Councillor Chapman. Members of Chineham, Old Basing and Newnham Parish Councils and the BBAC were present. They expressed concern that the consultation period was due to finish on 2 December and yet the Regulatory Committee is going to be asked to make a decision on the scheme at this meeting.

4.2 Other concerns raised were as follows:

(i) Are the number of lights indicated for the external site boundary really necessary to meet health and safety requirements?

(ii) During the meeting a light behind the external panels of the building was demonstrated. Members of the Parish Councils were very concerned that the demonstration indicated these panels would act similar to a defuser on a fluorescent light. The Parish Councils do not want a `beacon' lighting up the night sky and visible from housing in the near vicinity and across long distances of countryside.

4.3 It was suggested that the way to resolve the internal lighting may be to put a light reflecting material on the inside of the panels.

5. Officer's Comments

5.1 The basis of the lighting scheme, as submitted, is to meet operational requirements without causing light pollution or making the site prominent at night. The applicant has commented that the lighting scheme could not be finalised earlier as its detailed design is developed late in the construction programme.

5.2 The exterior lighting should not be intrusive, as measures are included for shading the lights to shine down only. The lights within the building will be visible through the translucent cladding, and the end wall to the south. In addition, the offices are at a high level, above tree height, and any lighting would be visible; however, these offices would not be in use at night and the control room does not have exterior windows. The lighting, additional to minimum emergency lighting, would only be in use when required for routine inspection or working. Consequently, it is not considered necessary to internally coat the cladding to reduce light emission.

5.3 In conclusion, it is considered that the scheme does meet the requirements and although the lighting will make the site visible at night, it should not be a major source of light pollution nor unduly intrusive.

5.4 Although considered by the Liaison Panel, comments have yet to be received from consultees and the consultation period does not expire until 2 December 2002. Therefore, it is recommended that the determination of the scheme be delegated to the Chief Planning Adviser to the Regulatory Committee, taking into account comments received from consultees.

Recommendation

That, provided that the results from consultation do not raise new issues not addressed in this report, determination of the lighting scheme for the Chineham Energy Recovery Incinerator, as required by Condition (17) of Planning Permission BDB44300, be delegated to the Chief Planning Adviser to the Regulatory Committee.

7620/PDC