Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the retention of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Garnier Road, Winchester. A replacement site is being pursued at Bar End depot, but it will take time to gain the necessary consents and to develop the site. Therefore, the application is to retain the existing HWRC for a further three years to maintain the service.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The site, illustrated on the attached plan, comprises an area of 0.15 hectare. It is located on the southern outskirts of Winchester, adjacent to a former pumping station, which has recently been converted to offices, and the River Itchen, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC).

2.2 Planning permission for the HWRC at Garnier Road, Winchester expires on 31 December 2002. The temporary planning permission was granted to enable an alternative site to be sought and developed. Proposals are progressing to provide a permanent replacement HWRC at the Bar End depot. However, any replacement would require planning permission and a period for construction. Therefore, in order to maintain the continuity of service, a further three year extension of time is sought for the existing Garnier Road site.

2.3 The Garnier Road HWRC has been operational since 1974 and is one of the most successful and busiest in the county. In 2001/02 the site handled 5,418 tonnes, of which 65 % was recycled.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted December 1998) Policy 46 concerns proposals for waste transfer and recycling (see attached appendix).

4. Consultations

4.1 Winchester City Council has `resolved to raise objection for the following reasons:

(i) inadequate visibility splays are provided at the junction of the access with the highway and this would cause danger and inconvenience to users of the adjoining highway;

(ii) the proposed development would be likely to encourage the parking of vehicles on the public highway which would interrupt the free flow of traffic and thereby add to the hazards of road users at this point;

(iii) the use of this site as a Household Waste Recycling Facility is contrary to the Countryside, Transport and Minerals/Waste policies of the Hampshire County Structure Plan (Review) and the Countryside, Transport and Heritage policies of the Winchester District Local Plan in that:

(a) it does not enhance or preserve the character of the countryside, this part of which has been designated an Area of Special Landscape Quality and is potentially part of the South Downs National Park;

(b) it does not enhance or preserve the character of the Winchester Conservation Area;

(c) it has an unacceptable traffic impact, as detailed above.'

4.2 The County Council (Highways) comments that there are some existing highway problems at the facility, such as blocking back onto Garnier Road, and is aware that proposals are progressing to provide an alternative site at Bar End. The HWRC provides a valuable service and it is important to maintain a continuity of service. Accordingly, no strategic highway objection is raised.

4.3 The Environment Agency (Southern) raises no objection.

4.4 Winchester City Council's Environmental Health Officer has no adverse comments to make.

4.5 English Nature comments that the proposal is not likely to have a significant impact on the cSAC, nor an adverse effect on the River Itchen SSSI.

5. Representations

5.1 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Peskett, has been informed.

5.2 Letters have been received from three residents of Priors Barton, the nearest local residents, supporting the retention of the HWRC. However, one resident raises concern at Garnier Road being a `rat run' and comments that it should be closed for traffic other than emergency vehicles.

6. Officer's Comments

6.1 The existing site provides a valuable local facility, with a high rate of recycling. It is recognised that this site has operational problems due to its restricted size, in particular queueing back onto Garnier Road when it is busy or a waste bin needs replacing. Therefore, the highway concerns raised in Winchester City Council's objection are recognised and the search for a replacement is supported.

6.2 The replacement is proposed to be at Bar End depot. In principle, the relocation to Bar End would be in accordance with policy. However, it will require planning permission and licensing, as well as construction, before becoming operational. This clearly would take some time and, if the service to the public is to be maintained, the existing site is needed for a further temporary period. A period of three years is reasonable in order to gain the necessary consents and for construction.

6.3 On balance, it is considered that a further temporary period for the retention of the Garnier Road HWRC should be permitted.

Recommendation

That planning permission for the continued operation of the Household Waste Recycling Centre at Garnier Road, Winchester (Application No. W07271/09) be approved, subject to the following conditions:

(1) The operations hereby permitted shall cease on or before 31 December 2005 and the site shall be restored in accordance with the scheme approved under Condition (8) below within a further period of six months or such longer period as the Waste Planning Authority may approve in writing.

Reason: In the interest of the amenities of the area.

(2) Prior to being discharged into any watercourse, surface water sewer or soakaway system, all surface water drainage from parking areas and hardstandings shall be passed through petrol/oil interceptors with an overall capacity compatible with the site being drained.

Reason: To avoid environmental pollution.

(3) Any gates provided shall be set back a distance of 10 metres from the edge of the carriageway of the adjoining highway.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

(4) A turning space shall be provided within the site to enable vehicles using the site to enter and leave in a forward gear.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

(5) No refuse shall be burnt on the site or deposited in any watercourse.

Reason: In the interest of the amenities of the area.

(6) Not later than six months from the cessation of operations or such other date as the Waste Planning Authority may approve in writing that they are no longer required in connection with this planning permission, whichever is sooner, all plant and machinery, foundations, waste bins, portacabins, hardstandings and access roads, no longer required in connection with the operations, restoration or future use of the site, shall be removed from the site.

Reason: In the interest of the amenities of the area.

(7) Except with the prior agreement of the Waste Planning Authority in writing, no operations authorised or required by this permission shall be carried out and plant shall not be operated other than during the following hours: between 0800 and 1900 in summer (1 April to 30 September) and between 0800 and 1630 at all other times. The site shall be closed on 25 and 26 December.

Reason: In the interest of the amenities of the area.

(8) The site shall be restored in accordance with a scheme agreed by the Waste Planning Authority in writing. Such a scheme shall be submitted to the Authority within three years from the date of this permission and shall detail the nature of the intended after-use of the site and the planting of any trees or shrubs on the site.

Reason: To ensure that the site is satisfactorily restored.

7616/PDC

APPENDIX

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

Policy 46

The Waste Planning Authorities will normally permit the use of land and the erection of plant and buildings for the recycling, transfer, storage and other treatment or handling of waste (excluding waste processing facilities covered by Policy 45) provided that:

(i) the proposed site is located near to the likely source(s) of waste and/or the market(s) for the recycled or recovered materials; and

(ii) the proposed site is located close to and has adequate access to the Hampshire Lorry Route Network (as shown on the proposals map), so that the development would not be likely to cause unacceptable traffic impact (including the environmental impact of traffic) on the local highway network; and

(iii) the proposed site is located:

(a) within an existing industrial site or on land which is permitted or allocated for industrial development; or

(b) within an area of land in the countryside that has already been disturbed by permanent development (a brownfield site); or

(c) at a waste disposal landfill or landraising site provided that the proposed development is connected with the waste disposal operation and is for a temporary period commensurate with the operational life of the waste disposal facility; and

(iv) the proposed site is located and the proposal includes adequate measures to ensure that no unacceptable impact would be likely to be caused to the occupants or users of houses, other residential buildings, schools, hospitals and other environmentally sensitive buildings and land uses by reason of noise, dust, fumes, smell or other cause; and

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

(vi) the proposed site is located and the proposal includes adequate measures to ensure that there would be no significant risk of pollution or danger to public health or safety; and

(vii) the proposed site is located and, if necessary, the proposal includes landscaping measures to ensure that the development would not cause unacceptable visual intrusion.