Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the REGULATORY COMMITTEE of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 12 May 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: J.K. West (Chairman); Mrs S.E. Allbright; Mrs P.G. Banks; I.F.E. Beagley; F.J. Bright; J.V. Bryant; Mrs E.M. Byrom; C.R.H. Davidovitz; Mrs P.M. Devereux; E.F. Gale; M.S. Geddes; Mrs D.R. Harrison; A.R. Ludlow; P. Luffman; R.C. McIntosh; R.H. Price; Dr. J.G.L. Wall.

295 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

296 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 31 March 2004 were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

297 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

    (i) In the light of comments made to the Chairman the Committee was requested not to converse with each other during the meeting and especially not during deputations.

    (ii) The training event on 27th April had been useful although a disappointingly small number of members had attended.

    (iii) Members were requested to note in their diary the following dates for tours during 2004.

      (i) Tuesday 6th July - Minerals and waste sites.

      (ii) Wednesday 21st July - Rights of Way matters.

      (iii) Monday 13th September - Minerals and waste sites.

298 DEPUTATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A WASTE TRANSFER AND RECYCLING STATION INCLUDING THE DEMOLITION OF EXISTING AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTION OF ANCILLARY OFFICES, TOILETS, WORKSHOP, DIESEL STORE, PARKING AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESS ROAD AT LAND AT SOLE HILL FARM, SHERFIELD ENGLISH (TVS00121/5)

Mrs Hoar of the Sherfield English Environmental Protection Society, Mr Camm of the Hawthorne Camm Planning Consultancy Limited, Mr Smythe-Wright, Chairman of Sherfield English Parish Council and Dr. Claydon made deputations in respect of the Sole Hill Farm application. The Committee then considered the report of the Chief Planning Adviser (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the matter. The Chief Planning Adviser confirmed that the application had been scaled back and a further consultation exercise had been undertaken on the revised proposals with objectors reiterating their concerns. The Test Valley Borough Council Environmental Health Officer had expressed uncertainty that the noise measures would deal with noise levels sufficiently.

The Chief Planning Adviser accepted that there was a need for more such facilities in the County but was concerned at the large number of lorry miles which the operation would entail with the main markets being on the fringes of Southampton and Romsey and material for recycling being taken back towards urban areas. Some 50% of the application site would be on pasture land and the Highways Adviser felt that some of the highways issues need to be addressed; on noise the Chief Planning Adviser agreed with the Environmental Health Officer as it was an exceptionally quiet area. He was tabling revised reasons for refusal following further consideration of the application since the report had been issued.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission in respect of the proposed construction of a waste transfer and recycling station including the demolition of existing agricultural buildings, construction of ancillary offices, toilets, workshop, diesel store, parking and improvements to the access road at land at Sole Hill Farm, Sherfield English be refused for the following reasons:-

      1. The application would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of local residents by reason of increased noise and traffic. The need for the development does not outweigh the adverse impact and this would be contrary to Policies 7 (i), 7 (ii) and 46 (ii) and 46 (iv) of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

      2. The proposal is inappropriately located within an area of land in the countryside that has not, in part, already been disturbed by permanent development. Therefore, the development would be contrary to Policy 46(iii) of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

      3. There is not a clearly established need for the development at this location which outweighs any adverse environmental or other impact that the development would be likely to cause. The proposal is not the Best Practicable Environment Option for the waste in question. Therefore, the development would be contrary to Policy 6(i) of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

299 DEPUTATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE ERECTION OF TWO GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (CLASS B1) UNITS WITH ASSOCIATED OFFICES AND WASTE TRANSFER STATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING BUILDING AT LAND AT QUAY LANE, ELSON, GOSPORT (K13994/7)

Councillor Russell and Councillor Mrs Elshaw made deputations in respect of the Quay Lane application. The Committee then considered the report of the Chief Planning Adviser (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the matter. Local County Councillor, Councillor Searle, declared a personal interest as he had been the Chairman of the Regulatory Board at Gosport Borough Council which had considered the application; he had not taken part in that debate other than confirming that he would submit the views of the Borough Council to the Regulatory Committee. Councillor Searle felt that the report should have covered the background to the site in more detail, drew attention to the nearby awkward road junction and the objections of the Borough Council as set out in the report and further advised of the possible adverse impact on local businesses and the difficulty of screening the building. The Chief Planning Adviser felt that, in planning terms, the case for the application was almost overwhelming as it would be situated in an industrial estate and would be located on hard standing; highways advice was that the access would be acceptable. The Borough Council could consider an alternative access into the north west corner of the industrial estate if it favoured such an access although this was not a matter to be considered as part of the current application.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the application be deferred pending a site visit to be undertaken during the morning of Monday 7th June 2004.

300 VARIATION OF CONDITION 1 OF PLANNING PERMISSION BDB 36296 (EXTENSION OF DATE BY WHICH DEVELOPMENT SHALL COMMENCE FROM 21 APRIL 2004 TO 21 APRIL 2005 TO ALLOW TIME FOR DETERMINATION OF PPC APPLICATION) AT APSLEY FARM LANDFILL SITE, HURSTBOURNE PRIORS, NEAR ANDOVER (BDB/58170)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Adviser (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on an extension to the commencement date for the Apsley Farm Landfill site. The Chief Planning Adviser reported that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council had raised no objection whilst the installation by a local resident of filters to his well water supply due to pollution could not be associated with the site.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the continuation of the legal agreement, planning permission in respect of variation of condition 1 of planning permission BDB36296 (extension of date by which development shall commence) at Apsley Farm Landfill site, Hurstbourne Priors, near Andover (BDB58170) be granted for the reason specified in the report and subject to the conditions specified in the report.

301 VARIATION OF CONDITION 1 OF PLANNING PERMISSION BDB50109 (EXTENSION OF DATE BY WHICH LANDFILL OPERATION AND SITE RESTORATION SHALL BE COMPLETED) AT APSLEY FARM LANDFILL SITE, HURSTBOURNE PRIORS, NEAR ANDOVER (BDB/58169)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Adviser (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on an extension of the completion date for the Apsley Farm Landfill site. The Chief Planning Adviser reported that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council had raised no objection.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the continuation of the legal agreement, planning permission in respect of variation of condition 1 of planning permission BDB50109 (extension of date by which landfill operation and site restoration shall be completed) at Apsley Farm Landfill Site, Hurstbourne Priors, near Andover (BDB/58169) be granted for the reason specified in the report and subject to the conditions specified in the report.

302 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SCHEDULE

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Adviser (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on the progress of minerals and waste and County Council development applications, outstanding enforcement action, planning/enforcement appeals and notice of permissions about to expire.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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