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 A proposal 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 was submitted last year and was refused planning permission on the grounds of adverse noise impact for local residents. The current application is a resubmission of that proposal with additional noise information, and revised proposals for bunding to provide noise mitigation. In addition SITA is negotiating the purchase of the neighbouring houses.

2.4 There are no changes to the proposed flare from the previous application. 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. Additional noise mitigation measures are proposed in the form of a 3 metre high bund within the landfill site.

3. Development Plan

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

4. Consultations

4.1 Local Members Councillors Boulton and Mason have been informed of the proposal.

4.2 Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council raise no objection.

4.3 Comments are awaited from the Environmental Health Officer at Eastleigh Borough Council.

4.4 Comments are awaited from Eastleigh Borough Council.

4.5 The Environment Agency raises no objection.

5. Representations

5.1 One letter has been received from a neighbouring resident who has negotiated the sale of their property to SITA. Providing the sale of their property goes through they do not intend to raise an objection, however if the sale does not go through they will be raising the same objections as with the previous application in terms of visual impact, concern about health impacts and noise.

5.2 A letter has also been received from an adjoining resident to the south, supporting the relocation of the flare from the previous location which was near their house.

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 In conclusion, there is a clear need for landfill gas control measures to prevent pollution and control odour. The reason for refusal of the previous application on grounds of noise was because of the impact for the nearest residents. This objection will be overcome as SITA is purchasing the houses. The proposed location at the site entrance is appropriate and following the sale of the houses the impacts for the wider area can be controlled by condition.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of relocation and replacement of existing gas flare with higher capacity flare at Fair Oak Landfill, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh (S/04/52867) 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 2008 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 three months 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.

9177/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.

9177app/PDC