Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Chadwick, ext. 6728 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought to extend the temporary period for inert waste recycling at Unit 4, Eversley Haulage Park for a further two year's to 31 December 2005. A further period to assess the impact of the operations at the site is considered acceptable, therefore it is recommended to grant planning permission.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, is within the Eversley Haulage Park. Planning permission was granted for inert waste recycling at the site in December 2002. This permission expired 31 December 2003. The application is to extend the temporary period by a further two year's to allow operations to continue.

2.2 The site is at the rear of the Eversley Haulage Park, adjoining Eversley Quarry operated by Lafarge. The site adjoins Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley Heaths Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). The nearest house is Hawkers Lodge which is about 150 metres from the site.

2.3 It is proposed to continue operations at the current level, which generates a maximum of 70 deliveries and 40 collections per day. The site would continue to receive clean demolition waste, ancillary amounts of paper, wood, or other materials in the demolition waste would be separated and sent for reuse or to a licensed facility for disposal.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted December 1998) Policy 46 concerns recycling.

4. Consultations

4.1 Hart District Council - raises objection on the grounds that the proposal is contrary to policies of the Hart District Local Plan in that the appearance is detrimental to the visual landscape character and setting of this part of open landscape, and application fails to demonstrate that the adjoining SSSI/Proposed SPA will not be adversely affected by water pollution or dust emissions.

4.2 Environmental Health (Hart District Council) - comments awaited.

4.3 The Environment Agency - comments awaited.

4.4 Bramshill Parish Council - no comments.

4.5 Eversley Parish Council - no objection subject to confirmation of compliance with existing conditions.

4.6 Hartley Wintney Parish Council - no objection.

4.7 English Nature - previously concluded that the proposal was unlikely to have a significant effect on the proposed SPA nor cause significant damage to the SSSI provided acoustic screening and implementation of dust suppression mitigation measures. Confirm these remain their concerns, raise holding objection subject to these matters being addressed.

4.8 The Highways Adviser raises no objection to a further temporary period.

4.9 Councillors Collett and Glen have been informed.

5. Representations

5.1 No representations have been received.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 The Eversley Haulage Park has a certificate of lawful use and consequently, in principle, the proposal is in accordance with Policy 46 of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Hart District Council's comments concerning visual impact are noted. However the site is well screened from public view and is not visible from the road, although there are more distant views across adjoining Eversley Quarry, which has been worked and under restoration. In addition, the proposal is not incompatible with adjoining uses and not near houses.

6.2 The planning status of the Eversley Haulage Park is still not clear. A recent appeal was inconclusive. Subsequently three planning applications have been submitted to Hart District Council for industrial/commercial development at the site. These have not yet been determined as further information is required. Notwithstanding this background the site conforms with policy of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan in that it has a clearly permitted commercial use as a haulage yard. As the proposal does not involve new buildings, a further temporary period would be in accordance with policy and not prejudice consideration of applications for built development at the Eversley Haulage Park.

6.3 Although the dust mitigation scheme required by condition was only submitted recently, the operation of the site has not given rise to complaints and a further temporary period would enable continued monitoring of the operation of the site. The concerns of English Nature can be addressed through condition related to noise and dust. Whilst the site is in the countryside it is next to an active sand quarry. It is at the rear of the haulage park and is screened from the main road. Therefore whilst Hart District Council's concerns about visual impact are noted, notwithstanding the more distant views from Blackbushe Airport across the active quarry, it is considered that this operation is not visually intrusive.

6.4 In conclusion it is considered that a further temporary period would be acceptable.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of Extension of temporary planning permission to maintain the use of land for the recycling of inert material to produce soils and secondary aggregates, including the use of screening and crushing equipment on Land at Unit 4, the Eversley Haulage Park, Fleet Road, Eversley (03/01582/CMA) be granted for the following reason and subject to the following conditions.

Reason for Approval

The proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (as summarised as attached) and would not materially harm the character of the area, of the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety and convenience.

Conditions

(1) The permission shall be for a temporary period expiring on 31 December 2005, on or before which date the use of land for waste recycling shall cease, all machinery, structures and waste be removed and the land reinstated.

Reason: In order to assess the impact of the site.

(2) Any above ground oil/chemical storage, tank/container and associated pipe work shall be bunded in a manner so as to retain at least 110% volume of the tank capacity. All filling points, vents, gauges and sight glasses must be located within the bund, which shall be sealed so as to retain any spillages.

Reason: To prevent pollution of the water environment.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority, no lorries shall enter or leave the site, and no operations shall take place within the site except between 0600 and 2000 hours Monday to Friday and between 0600 and 1300 hours on Saturday, and not at all on Sunday and recognised public holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(4) Within one month of the date of this consent an Environmental management scheme for controlling and monitoring noise and dust shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The scheme shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(5) Waste imported to the site shall be restricted to inert construction and demolition waste only. All waste shall be stored within the areas identified on drawing number 549-02.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(6) No stockpiles shall exceed 4 metres in height.

Reason: To minimise visual impact.

8458/PC

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.