Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext 6728

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for extended hours of working at the Star Hill Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility. The application is for the continuation of extended hours approved for a temporary period in 1999. The temporary period expired on 31 October 2002, the application is to retain these extended hours. The recommendation is to grant planning permission, subject to conditions specifying the working hours and restricting the activities allowed during these times.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The site, illustrated on the attached plan, is an operational waste transfer station and recycling facility located close to the A30 next to a residential caravan site. The site also adjoins Bramshill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is a component of the Thames Basin Heaths proposed Special Protection Area (SPA). The adjoining land has been granted planning permission for sand and gravel extraction, which has not yet commenced.

2.2 Extended working hours were permitted for a temporary period which expired on 31 October 2002. These extended hours were for a restricted range of working. The application is to retain these extended working hours.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted December 1998) Policy 7 concerns considerations for waste applications (see attached appendix).

4. Consultations

4.1 Hart District Council raises objections on the grounds of the impact of the proposal on the amenities of nearby residents by virtue of the intensification of the use and problems with smells. The application is to be reported to the Development Control Committee on 15 January 2003, therefore objection is the officer's recommendation.

4.2 Hartley Wintney Parish Council raises no objection.

4.3 Environment Agency (Frimley Office) comments that it is reviewing the Waste Management Licence under the Habitats Regulations and recommends consultation with English Nature.

4.4 Hart District Council's Environmental Health Officer comments that no objection is raised with regard to noise. However, there have been intermittent complaints about odour from residents of the residential caravan site, which he will monitor. This time of the year is, however, not appropriate to make an accurate assessment of the level of nuisance.

4.5 English Nature comments that the proposal is not likely to have a significant effect on the proposed SPA and is not likely to cause significant damage to the Bramshill SSSI.

4.6 The County Council's Gypsy Liaison Officer comments that complaints about noise during extended hours have been intermittent. Provided the waste transfer station continues to abide by reasonable practices, complaints are likely to remain intermittent. However, the site residents should receive consideration and therefore suggests that operating hours of 0700 to 1900 would be appropriate. The garage workshop operations after 1900 should be restricted as at present.

4.7 The County Council (Highways) raises no objections.

5. Representation

5.1 The local Member, Councillor Glen, has been informed of the proposal.

5.2 The Warden for the Star Hill Caravan Site comments that several factors are having a detrimental impact. There are horrendous smells (albeit dependent on weather conditions), disturbance by noise of bins being moved early in the morning and damage to the road by heavy vehicles. There are several young children on the site and working to 2200 hours would be inconsiderate.

5.3 There is a petition by residents of the Star Hill Caravan Park against the planning application.

6. Officer's Comments

6.1 The main issue in relation to this application is the impact, particularly noise disturbance, for residents of the caravan site. Whilst no objections have been received concerning the period of extended hours, it is clear from the objections that noise is an intermittent concern, particularly later in the evening. In the light of these comments it is considered that the hours should be restricted to 1900 in the evening rather than 2200 as in the application.

6.2 A further objection raised concerns smell. It is noted that this will be monitored by the Environmental Health Officer as it is an intermittent objection. However, this objection is in relation to the management of the site generally and not as a result of the extended hours. Similarly, concern about the state of the road is not relevant for this application.

6.3 In view of the concerns about the impact of the extended hours it is not considered appropriate to make this variation permanent. Therefore, it is recommended that permission be granted for a further 12 months to enable monitoring of the operation of the site.

Recommendation

That planning permission for a variation of conditions to permit extended working hours at Star Hill Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility, Hartley Wintney (Application No. 02/01456/CMA) be granted, subject to the following condition:

(1) Except with the prior agreement of the Waste Planning Authority in writing, no operations shall be carried out and plant shall not be operated other than during the following hours:

(i) within the waste transfer/recycling building - 0700 to 1900 hours Monday to Saturday;

(ii) outside the building - 0700 to 1900 hours, excluding public holidays, and 0800 to 1800 on public holidays;

(iii) vehicle garage/workshop - 0700 to 1900 and 1900 to 0700 hours, subject to the limitations of the approved noise mitigation scheme; and

(iv) notwithstanding the above, no skips shall be moved outside the hours of 0730 to 1800 Monday to Friday and 0730 to 1300 on Saturday.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(2) The above extended hours of operation under permission Nos. 94/00395/CMA and 96/00710/CMA shall be for a temporary period expiring on 31 January 2004.

Reason: To enable further monitoring and assessment of the impact of extended hours on local amenity.

Note to applicant: All other conditions of planning permissions  94/00395/CMA and 96/00710/CMA remain in force.

7654/PC

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.