Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the operation of a concrete crusher at the waste transfer facility at Farlington Redoubt, initially for a period of two years. The main issue is the potential for unacceptable noise for local residents. The recommendation is to grant planning permission for two years with a requirement for noise monitoring by condition.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, lies within Farlington Redoubt, which is enclosed by steep chalk faces with a narrow entrance for access. A golf course adjoins the site. Transco owns the western side of the Redoubt and uses it as a gas transfer station and a fire fighting training centre. The applicant owns the eastern half for vehicle storage, the operation of a skip waste business and a waste transfer facility. Planning permission was granted in November 2001 for a waste transfer station for skip waste at Farlington Redoubt. Access is onto Portsdown Hill Road. The nearest houses are about 140 metres away from the site.

2.2 The proposal is to operate a concrete crusher at the northern part of the site. The plant will be based at the site, but only operated when sufficient volume of material has been stockpiled for processing. The proposal would not involve increasing lorry movements as the material is already brought to the site for waste transfer.

2.3 The proposal is for a temporary period of two years initially to allow monitoring to be undertaken of the noise impacts when the concrete crusher is in use.

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.

4. Consultations

4.1 Havant Borough Council raises no objection for a temporary period, subject to conditions.

4.2 Environmental Health Officer (Havant Borough Council) comments that consent should only be granted for a temporary period to enable actual measurements of the noise levels to be taken around the site when the concrete crusher is in use.

4.3 Portsmouth City Council raises no objection to the proposal.

4.4 Environmental Health Officer (Portsmouth City Council) comments that a concrete crusher will require an authorisation to operate, which will have specific conditions to contain dust. Also, that noise could emanate through the entrance where the screening effect of the topography may be removed.

4.5 The Environment Agency raises no objection to the proposal, subject to conditions.

4.6 The Highways Adviser comments that as no increase in lorry traffic is proposed, no objection is raised.

4.7 The local Members, Councillors McIntosh and Jenny Wride, have been informed of the proposal.

5. Representations

5.1 Two letters have been received from local residents raising objection on the grounds of noise, dust and additional traffic on Portsdown Hill Road. They also comment that the site is on a beautiful hill with a sensitive environment where no development should be allowed.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 The principle of having recycling at a waste transfer facility is in accordance with policy. The issue is whether the use of a concrete crusher will give rise to an unacceptable impact for local residents, the main concern being noise. The site is well contained within the Redoubt, and the operation of the site has not given rise to complaints about noise, although the letters of objection to this application refer to disturbance from the site. Whilst it is considered that the operation of the concrete crusher is unlikely to give rise to unacceptable levels of noise for local residents, it is considered that a temporary consent would be appropriate to enable noise monitoring of the actual levels.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of the operation of a concrete crusher as part of the waste transfer activities at Farlington Redoubt, Portsdown Hill Road, Portsdown (04/54301/012) be granted for the following reason and subject to the following conditions:

Reason for Approval

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

Conditions

Timescale

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of one year from the date on which this planning permission was granted.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

(2) The use of the concrete crusher shall cease and all plant and equipment involved in concrete crushing shall be removed by 31 July 2006.

Reason: In order to monitor the operations.

Hours of Working

(3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority no plant or machinery shall be operated except between the following hours:

(i) 0700 to 1800 hours Monday to Friday;

(ii) 0700 to 1400 hours on Saturday; and

(iii) there shall be no working on Sunday or recognised public holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Noise and Dust

(4) Noise from the operation of the concrete crusher shall not exceed the background noise level by more than 5dB(A) as measured at the monitoring locations shown on drawing no. LSH/HAV/NSE/01.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(5) The noise monitoring scheme, as set out in letter dated 2 July 2004, shall be implemented for the duration of the development.

Reason: In order to monitor noise in the interests of local amenity.

(6) Measures shall be taken, including damping down hardstandings, access roads and stockpiles, such that dust nuisance is not caused for local residents.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Protection of the Water Environment

(7) All surface water drainage from parking areas and hardstandings shall be passed through an oil separator designed and constructed to have a capacity and details compatible with the site being drained.

Reason: To prevent pollution of the water environment.

(8) Any facilities for the storage of oils, fuels or chemicals shall be sited on impervious bases and surrounded by impervious bund walls. The bund capacity shall give 110% of the total volume for single and hydraulically linked tanks. If there is multiple tankage, the bund capacity shall be 110% of the largest tank or 25% of the total capacity of all tanks, whichever is the greatest. All filling points, vents, gauges and sight glasses and overflow pipes shall be located within the bund. There shall be no outlet connecting the bund to any drain, sewer or watercourse or discharging onto the ground. Associated pipework shall be located above ground where possible and protected from accidental damage.

Reason: To prevent pollution of the water environment.

8829/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.