Contact: Neil Chester, ext 6496 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for a green waste composting facility at Firgo Farm, Tidbury. Concerns regarding the highways and landscape impacts of the proposal have been raised. However, due to uncertainty over the future supply of green waste to the site, a temporary permission is now sought to enable the material currently on-site to be composted. It is understood that the on-site green waste will take approximately six months to compost.

1.2 It is recommended that planning permission be granted for a temporary period of six months with an additional period of three months for restoration and subject to conditions.

2. Site

2.1 The application site is approximately 0.5 hectares and is located adjacent to an existing farm building on Firgo Farm, Tidbury (see attached location plan). Firgo Farm is an agricultural unit of approximately 400 hectares. The site is situated on an area of agricultural land on the northern boundary of an arable field. The site is adjacent to a farm track, which is also a public right of way. Access to the site is directly from the A34, along the existing farm access. The nearest residential property shares this access and is approximately 400 metres from the site.

2.2 The site comprises a tipping area, a processing area, a maturation area and an area for the storage of the finished compost. The operational area is approximately 200 square metres.

3. Proposal

3.1 The proposal is to continue operating the existing unauthorised composting facility at Firgo Farm, Tidbury. It is proposed to increase the throughput to approximately 3,000 tonnes per annum. The finished compost will be spread on the surrounding 400 hectares of Firgo Farm. It is not proposed to export any compost off the farm.

3.2 The proposal is to import green waste, principally from household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), onto the farm where it will be stored until a reasonable amount is collected. On approximately two or three days a month the green waste will be shredded and formed into windrows. A typical windrow will be approximately 15 metres long, 3 metres wide and 2 metres high. The temperature rises to approximately 65 degrees centigrade within 24 hours of shredding. This temperature ensures pathogens and weed seeds are killed. The windrows are turned on a regular basis and the compost reaches maturation after approximately 12 weeks.

3.3 Prior to spreading the compost on the farm it is proposed to screen it to remove oversize and woody material, which is returned to the composting process.

3.4 It is proposed that the majority of the green waste will be delivered in `roll-on and off' lorries with an average payload of 8 tonnes. It is anticipated that the proposal will generate an average of between two and four vehicle movements per day. However, the lorry movements may reach a maximum of 16 tonnes per day immediately after a public holiday in the spring or summer. This is the result of an increase in the amount of green waste being deposited at HWRCs.

3.5 Proposed hours of operation:

Monday - Friday 0800 - 1800

Saturday 0800 - 1600

3.6 Proposed hours of waste delivery:

Monday - Friday 0730 - 1700

Saturday 0800 - 1600

Sunday 0800 - 1600

Public holidays 0800 - 1600

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan Review 1996 - 2011 (Adopted March 2000) MW2 refers to environmental issues (see attached appendix).

4.2 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted December 1998) Policies 6 and 7 refer to environmental issues; Policy 46 refers to waste processing including composting (see attached appendix).

5. Consultations

5.1 Longparish Parish Council objects to the proposal for the following reasons:

(i) the application should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and such an assessment should be required prior to determining the application;

(ii) there is no need for additional composting sites in the area;

(iii) there is considerable risk of contamination, particularly in wet weather;

(iv) there will be an adverse impact on the adjacent bridleway and footpath;

(v) there will be an adverse noise and odour impact on the hamlet of Firgo; and

(vi) the site will grow in the future in order to be economically viable.

5.2 Test Valley Borough Council raises no objections, subject to a condition to provide details of hard and soft landscaping.

5.3 The Environment Agency raises no objections to the proposal.

5.4 The Rights of Way Manager raises no objection to the proposal.

5.5 The Environmental Health Officer (Test Valley Borough Council) has not responded to the consultation.

5.6 The Highways Adviser raises concerns that the access road is not sufficiently wide for vehicles to pass and that the junction with the A34 is may be safety issue due to its width. The latter is primarily an issue for the Highways Agency to comment on.

5.7 The Highways Agency raises no objections to the proposal, subject to a condition requiring all composted material to be used on the farm.

5.8 Popham Airfield has not responded to the consultation.

5.9 The local Member, Councillor Pierce, has been informed of the proposal.

6. Representations

6.1 No representations have been received.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The composting of green waste accords with Policy MW1 of the Hampshire County Structure Plan Review 1996-2011 (adopted 2000) and Policy 46 of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (adopted 1998) (see attached appendix). Furthermore, paragraph 6.77 of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan states "in the case of proposals for the composting of green (garden) waste which are akin to farmyard activities, it may be appropriate for them to be located at suitable sites within the countryside". The key issue is therefore whether the site is suitable, specifically in terms of its likely impact on the local landscape character and whether the proposal will give rise to adverse environmental impacts.

7.2 The original proposal was for permanent consent, however the applicant has indicated that a temporary permission is now required for the following reasons:

(i) it is anticipated that from next year on-farm composting sites will only be allowed to process up to 400 tonnes per annum without obtaining a Waste Management Licence, which may require the provision of significant and costly infrastructure. Therefore, in the future it is anticipated that the majority of green waste will be directed towards larger sites such as Little Bushy Warren Copse, Herriard; and

(ii) the supply of green waste to Firgo Farm primarily derives from HWRCs and therefore the destination of this waste is largely controlled by Hampshire Waste Services. It is understood that in the future the green waste from HWRCs in this area will be directed to the Herriard site.

7.3 The proposal gives rise to an unacceptable landscape impact, as it is located within an area of open countryside and is visible from a significant distance to the south and east, particularly from the A34.

7.4 It is understood that the green waste currently on-site will take approximately six months to compost. Any landscaping would be ineffectual over this period and therefore it is recommended that no scheme be required.

7.5 The issue of whether the proposal is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Development has been raised. The proposal falls below the minimum site area threshold of Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations and is not located within a Sensitive Area. The proposal is unlikely to have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore the proposal is not considered to be an EIA Development.

7.6 The Parish Council is concerned that there will be an adverse impact on the public right of way, which is also the access to the site. The proposal is for a maximum of 16 lorry movements per day and an average of between 2 and 4 lorry movements per day. The proposal is therefore unlikely to have a significant impact on the footpath or its users. The Rights of Way Adviser raises no objection to the proposal.

7.7 The concern that there is considerable risk of pollution from the site is noted. The Environment Agency raises no objection to the proposal, which is currently registered with the Environment Agency as exempt from requiring a Waste Management Licence.

7.8 The Highways Adviser raises concerns that the access track is of insufficient width the safely accommodate two vehicles passing and that passing bays should be provided. However, the permission is now sought for a temporary period only and little or no green waste will be imported within this period. Therefore it is not considered necessary to require passing bays. It is also noted that the application is retrospective and there have been no complaints regarding this issue to date.

7.9 The Highways Adviser is also concerned that the junction between the access road and the A34 is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicle traffic. This is primarily an issue for the Highways Agency as the A34 is a trunk road. The Highways Agency raises no objections to the proposal subject to a condition to ensure all compost in used on the farm.

7.10 Finally, the Parish Council is concerned about the future extension of the site if permission is granted. Any future application will be determined on its merits.

7.11 The principle of the proposal accords with policy and composting is a suitable activity for a farm location. However, the impact of the proposal on the visual amenity of the area is unacceptable and the access road is unsuitable in terms of width. It is understood that the supply of green waste to the proposal will be limited in the future and therefore there is a reluctance to invest in the necessary landscaping and highways improvements to mitigate against such impacts. The recommendation is that permission be granted for a temporary period of six months with an additional period of three months for restoration and subject to conditions.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of Green Waste Composting Facility at Firgo Farm, Tidbury (TVN09191) 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.

Conditions

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be for a limited period only, expiring on 31 April 2005 or when the composting use ceases, whichever is the sooner. At the expiration of this period all plant and machinery and green waste shall be removed and the land reinstated to its former condition within three months.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and to secure the visual amenity of the locality, as the building is not considered suitable for permanent retention.

(2) Within one month of the date of this permission a site layout plan shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority which shall clearly indicate the position of the green waste storage area, the processing area, the location of the windrows and the storage area for the finished product.

Reason: To ensure the site does not encroach onto the surrounding agricultural land and to facilitate the effective monitoring of the site.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority, no heavy goods vehicles shall enter or leave the site except between the following hours: 0730 to 1700 Monday to Friday and 0800 to 1600 on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. No plant or machinery shall be operated except between the following hours: 0800 to 1800 Monday to Friday and 0800 to 1600 on Saturday.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(4) No material shall be exported from Firgo Farm unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

Advice Note

It should be noted that access to the site is also a public Right of Way. Drivers of delivery vehicles should be aware of this and the safety implications. The operator will be expected to make good any damage to the Right of Way caused by the development hereby approved.

9001/NC

APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY STRUCTURE PLAN 1996-2011 (REVIEW) (ADOPTED MARCH 2000)

Policy MW1

Planning authorities will, through policies and proposals in local plans and day-to day development control:

(i) seek to ensure an adequate supply of minerals and provision of waste management facilities to meet needs having regard to the need to: maintain the environmental quality and diversity of Hampshire, including the protection of living conditions; safeguard important socio-economic interests; prevent pollution; and protect features of particular environmental or historical importance including those listed in Policy MW3, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and historic parks and gardens;

(ii) seek environmental enhancement and public benefits through minerals and waste development;

(iii) conserve and prevent unnecessary sterilisation of mineral resources and encourage efficient use of materials;

(iv) encourage the use of secondary and recycled aggregate materials; and

(v) seek the management of waste in accordance with the following hierarchy;

1. reduction of waste;

2. re-use of waste;

3. recovery of waste (recycling, composting, energy from waste); and

4. waste disposal;

having regard to the proximity principle and the principle of best practical environmental option.

Policy MW2

Permission will be granted for minerals and waste development provided the mineral/waste planning authority is satisfied that:

(i) any adverse environmental or other impacts that the development would be likely to cause are outweighed by a clearly established need for the development; and

(ii) the proposals, where applicable, include a satisfactory scheme of working and landscaping including details of lorry routeing and, in all cases, include satisfactory measures to ensure that the development would not have any unacceptable environmental, traffic or other impact; and

(iii) the proposals, where applicable, provide for the satisfactory and prompt restoration and after-care of the site to a high standard and to a landform compatible with the local landscape and suitable for an agreed beneficial after-use.

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

Policy 6

Permission will be granted for minerals and waste development provided the Mineral/Waste Planning Authority is satisfied that:

(i) there is a clearly established need for the development (as assessed in relation to the other relevant policies of the Plan) which outweighs any adverse environmental or other impact that the development would be likely to cause; and

(ii) the development would not be likely to give rise to an unacceptable level of adverse environmental, traffic or other impact, pollution risk or danger to public health, particularly in respect of any of the factors specified in Policy 7 and measures would be taken to ensure that any such impacts would, as far as is practicable, be minimised; and

(iii) the proposals provide for the satisfactory working or operation and landscaping of the site and for its satisfactory restoration and landscaping at the cessation of the operations or use or at the end of the life of the facility to a condition suitable for an agreed beneficial after-use which is compatible with adjoining land uses and the planning policies for the area.

Notwithstanding any need there may be for waste disposal, permission will not normally be granted for mineral extraction with restoration by infilling with waste materials unless there is a need for the mineral to be extracted.

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.

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.