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

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for the replacement of the landfill gas flare and its relocation at Fair Oak Landfill Site. The flare is necessary for landfill gas control and the recommendation is to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

2. Site and Proposal

2.1 The Fair Oak Landfill site, as shown on the attached plan, totals an area of 13.5 hectares adjacent to Knowle Lane. Access to the site is via the neighbouring golf course. The nearest houses adjoin the site.

2.2 Planning permission for sand extraction and landfill, with restoration to agriculture, was granted in 1989. Following sand extraction the tipping cells are engineered and clay-lined. The range of waste includes domestic, industrial and commercial wastes. There is very little remaining sand and the site is now primarily a landfill site.

2.3 The proposal is to replace the landfill gas flare and move its location from the south-east corner of the site up to the north-east corner, alongside the weighbridge, office and site entrance. The dimensions of the new flare would be the same as the old one (at just under 8 metres), but it would have a greater capacity. It is proposed to operate the flare for about 18 months, during which time the applicant will consider the final gas extraction system for the site, including consideration of the potential for electricity generation.

3. Development Plan

3.1 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan Policy 53 concerns ancillary waste development.

4. Consultations

4.1 Eastleigh Borough Council - comments awaited.

4.2 Environmental Health, Eastleigh has requested additional information.

4.3 Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council raises no objection.

4.4 The Environment Agency raises no objection.

4.5 British Airports Authority (on behalf of Southampton Airport) has no objection.

4.6 Councillors Boulton and Mason have been informed.

5. Representations

5.1 Two letters received from a local residents expressing concern about impact on health and noise.

6. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

6.1 There is a clear need for landfill gas control measures. The relocation to the site adjacent to the site entrance will make the flare more accessible for maintenance and keep the infrastructure (ie office, weighbridge, etc) at the same locality. The main concerns raised by local residents are the impacts on the locality in terms of health, visual impact and noise.

6.2 The proposal is for an enclosed flare meeting current standards. The detailed operation of the flare would be controlled by the Environment Agency through the Integrated Pollution, Prevention and Control permit. This would include requirements to ensure operating standards are such that there would not be a health hazard for local residents.

6.3 The gas flare would be on the opposite side of the landfill site to the nearest houses. Whilst it would be quite prominent initially due to its height, the impact would diminish as the tipping operations are completed at this part of the site.

6.4 With regard to noise, the levels can be controlled by condition and mitigation required if necessary. Noise information was included with the application, but further information has been requested by Eastleigh's Environmental Health Officer. The applicant has provided a further noise report and the Environmental Health Officers comments are awaited. Consequently, the proposed noise condition may need amending in the light of the Environmental Health Officers final comments.

6.5 In conclusion, there is a clear need for landfill gas control measures to prevent pollution and control odour. The proposed location at the site entrance is appropriate and, subject to additional noise information, the impacts can be controlled by condition.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of relocation and replacement of Landfill Gas Flare at Fair Oak Landfill, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh (S/04/51924) be granted for the following reason, 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

Timescale

(1) The permission hereby permitted shall be for a temporary period expiring on 31 December 2006 or when the flare is no longer required, whichever is the sooner. Within six months of cessation of use the gas flare and hardstanding shall be removed and the land restored.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure restoration of the site.

Noise

(2) Within one month of the date of this consent, a noise monitoring and mitigation scheme shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The scheme shall be implemented as approved for the operational life of the gas flare.

Reason: To protect the amenity of neighbouring householders.

8995/PDC

APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE, PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHAMPTON MINERALS AND WASTE LOCAL PLAN (ADOPTED 17 DECEMBER 1998)

Policy 53

The Waste Planning Authorities will permit plant, machinery, buildings and other development ancillary to waste disposal, processing and transfer facilities within the boundary of or adjacent to the facility, provided that:

(i) the development is required solely in connection with the operation, administration or servicing of the waste facility; and

(ii) any plant, machinery, building or other structure is to be designed, constructed and landscaped so as to minimise any adverse impact on the amenities of the area and, in any case, it would not be likely to give rise to any unacceptable environmental or traffic impact or other detrimental effect; and

(iii) the size, type and nature of the development are appropriate to the scale of the waste facility for which it is required; and

(iv) any plant, machinery, building or other structure would be removed as soon as the use of the waste facility has ceased and the site would be restored to a satisfactory condition suitable for an agreed beneficial after-use.