Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 The proposal is for a permanent extension of the working hours for the Star Hill Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility. The main issue is the impact of these extended hours for residents of the neighbouring caravan site, the principal impact being noise. In view of the concerns raised it is recommended that the extended hours are approved for a temporary period of one year to enable them to be kept under review.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, is an operational waste transfer station and recycling facility. Access is onto the B3016, and close to the A30. The site adjoins the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) and Bramshill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The adjoining land to the east has permission for sand and gravel extraction, and working has commenced. A residential caravan site adjoins the site to the south.

2.2 The Star Hill Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility was granted permission for extended hours of working in 1998, 1999 and 2003. The latest permission expired on 31 January 2004. The proposal is for the following working hours to apply permanently:

(i) within the waste transfer/recycling building - between 0700 to 2200 hours Monday to Saturday;

(ii) outside the building - between 0700 to 2200 hours Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays; 0800 to 1800 hours on public holidays;

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

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

2.3 The application is accompanied by an Environmental Noise Assessment, which concludes that noise levels for the adjoining caravan site would be below recommended levels up to 2000, and less than marginal significance up to 2200.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted 17 December 1998) Policy 7 concerns considerations for waste applications.

4. Consultations

4.1 Hart District Council raises no objection to the proposal.

4.2 The Environmental Health Officer (Hart District Council) comments that the site should be able to operate without causing undue disturbance to neighbouring residents. Also comments that this does not prejudice any action they would take under Environmental Protection Act if nuisance was caused.

4.3 Hartley Wintney Parish Council raises no objection to the proposal.

4.4 Eversley Parish Council express concern regarding impact on neighbours, felt that only a temporary permission should be granted.

4.5 The Environment Agency - comments awaited.

4.6 English Nature raises no objection to the proposal.

4.7 The Highways Adviser raises no objection to the proposal.

4.8 Gypsy and Traveller Manager comments that he has received
12 complaints from residents about the movement of skips in the early hours of the morning contrary to the planning conditions. Concern was expressed at allowing the extended hours on a permanent basis, considers that a 12 month temporary consent would continue to allow monitoring.

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

5. Representations

5.1 Concerns have been raised by the Warden of Star Hill Caravan Site on behalf of the residents. These concerns are the movement of skips around the yard, at times very early in the morning, causing noise and vibration, putrid smell during warm weather, dust, litter along hedgerows and parking of lorries along the road outside the site causing a traffic danger.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 The main issue arising from this application is clearly the potential impact on the residents of the Star Hill Caravan Site of the proposed extension of working hours, the main impact being noise.

6.2 Following receipt of the letters from the Warden of the caravan site and the Gypsy and Traveller Manager a meeting was arranged with Biffa, the Site Warden and Hart District Council's Environmental Health Officer. At the meeting the main problem was identified as the movement of skips (including large rollonoff containers), particularly as the skip storage area immediately adjoins the caravan site. Additional measures have been proposed by Biffa to address this problem, including a sign by the area to remind drivers of the operational hours for this area, and cordoning off the area at night as a physical reminder that this is a no go area outside the permitted hours.

6.3 The site managers also undertook to take measures to ensure that no Biffa vehicles park outside the site, and notify contract drivers and other lorry drivers that they should not park on the highway. It was also agreed to arrange for regular liaison between their site managers and the Site Warden and representatives of the caravan site to address issues which might arise.

6.4 In view of the complaints and concerns which have been raised by the residents of the caravan site it is considered that a permanent extension of hours should not be granted. However a further temporary period of one year to allow monitoring of the additional measures proposed by Biffa and to keep the hours under review would be appropriate.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of Proposed variation of Condition 5 of Planning Permission 94/00395/CMA and Condition 4 of Planning Permission 96/00710/CMA to extend the hours of working at Star Hill Waste Transfer Facility, Hartley Wintney (04/00929/CMA) be granted permission for the following reason and subject to the following conditions.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (summary attached) and would not materially harm the character of the area or the amenity of local residents and would be acceptable in terms of highway safety and convenience.

Conditions

Hours of Working

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

(i) within the waste transfer/recycling building: between 0700 to 2200 hours Monday to Saturday;

(ii) outside the building (excluding movement of skips): between 0700 to 2200 hours Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays) and 0800 to 1800 hours on recognised public holidays.

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

(iv) movement of skips, between 0730 to 1800 hours Monday to Friday and 0730 to 1300 hours on Saturday.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of local residents..

(2) The above hours shall be for a temporary period expiring on
31 May 2005, after which the site reverts to the hours approved under permissions 94/00395/CMA and 96/00710/CMA.

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

Advice Note

All other Conditions of Planning Permissions 94/00395/CMA and 96/00710/CMA remain in force.

8811/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.