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

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought for a recycling facility for processing of inert construction and demolition material at Rookery Farm Landfill Site, Botley Road, Swanwick. There is local objection to the proposal, principally on the grounds of noise, dust and highways impact. It is recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

2. Background

2.1 On 19 October 2005 the Regulatory Committee resolved to refuse planning permission for the recycling of construction and demolition waste at Rookery Farm Landfill, Botley Road, Swanwick (Application No. P/04/1522/MW) on the grounds that the proposal would give rise to an unacceptable noise and dust impact.

2.2 On 30 November 2005 the Regulatory Committee resolved to take enforcement action to ensure cessation of recycling activities at Rookery Farm. However, after taking Counsel's advice it was resolved to enforce on the grounds of adverse noise impact only.

2.3 On 3 April 2006 a revised application for a recycling facility at Rookery Farm Landfill (Application No. P/06/0443/CC) was submitted. This revised application seeks to address the reasons for refusing the original application. The main differences between the current proposal and the original application are:

(i) reduction of annual throughput of recycling materials from an estimated throughput of 200,000 tonnes per annum to 140,000 tonnes per annum;

(ii) relocation of the primary crushing and screening operations (further from Botley Road but closer to Swanwick Lane);

(iii) provision of new electrically driven washing plant with fully sound insulated generator;

(iv) construction of new 5 metre high bund immediately adjacent to the primary screening area;

(v) increased height of bunds to the north (8 metres high) and north eastern (4.5 metres high) site boundaries and along the site access road; and

(vi) where possible, routing of landfill transport away from noise sensitive boundaries.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The revised application site is some 7.9 hectares, including the bunds and access road within the existing landfill site at Rookery Farm, Botley Road, near Swanwick. The actual recycling area is approximately 2.75 hectares. The M27 lies to the south of the landfill site and there are residential properties to the north and east. The access to the application site from Botley Road is shared with the landfill site. There are houses opposite the site entrance. The existing weighbridge building and mess room serving the landfill site will be used for the recycling operation.

3.2 The recycling of construction and demolition waste has taken place at the site since a planning permission in 1995 (Application No. P/94/0698/ML). This permission expired in December 2004.

3.3 The proposal is for a recycling facility for processing of inert construction and demolition material at Rookery Farm Landfill. A recent survey of the landfill void gives an estimated life for inert waste disposal in excess of 15 years. A temporary permission for 15 years is sought to enable the residue from the recycling operation to be disposed of in Phases 2 and 3 of the approved landfill. After 15 years it is proposed to remove the recycling plant and complete the landfill with imported waste material.

3.4 It is proposed to import a maximum of 140,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste per annum including materials such as clay, sand, gravel, limestone, crushed stone, chalk, road planings, construction stone and stone from the demolition of buildings, structures or road excavation. The imported material will be sorted, crushed, washed and graded to produce secondary aggregates that will be suitable for re-use in construction projects. The recycled aggregate will be stored prior to sale.

3.5 To meet the demand for a concrete aggregate, as it is difficult to produce a sand product through recycling, it is proposed to import up to 5,000 tonnes of sand per annum, which will be blended with recycled aggregate. Soils will be recycled and blended with imported compost to produce soils for sale off-site and use in the restoration of the adjacent landfill. It is proposed to import up to 5,000 tonnes of compost per annum for this purpose.

3.6 The machinery will include a mobile crusher, a screening unit, and a hydraulic excavator to feed the crusher and screeners. It is also proposed to use a self-contained washing plant to clean the recycled aggregate.

3.7 The combined lorry movements generated by the landfill and the current proposal will not exceed 240 (120 in and 120 out) movements per day. The restriction of 240 lorry movements is a maximum for all activity at the site.

3.8 The proposed hours of operation are between 0730 and 1730 Monday to Friday and between 0800 to 1230 on Saturdays. The site will not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

3.9 It is proposed to erect a 4.5 metre high bund along the northern boundary of the landfill. The bund between the application site and the Rookery Farm buildings will be increased to approximately eight metres in height. Furthermore, it is proposed to erect a five-metre bund in an `L' shape immediately adjacent to the recycling plant.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan Review 1996-2011 (Adopted March 2000) MW1 refers to the waste management hierarchy; MW2 refers to environmental impacts; MW6 refers to the production of secondary and recycled aggregates.

4.2 Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted December 1998) Policies 6 and 7 refer to environmental impacts; Policy 25 refers to the use of land and the erection of plant and buildings for the production or supply of secondary or substitute aggregate materials; and Policy 46 refers to waste processing and recycling.

4.3 Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework - Strategy (adopted for submission to the Secretary of State May 2006) Policy S9 refers to the need for secondary and recycled aggregates.

5. Consultations

5.1 Fareham Borough Council raises no objections subject to an understanding that the County Council will consult the Environmental Health Officer on any relevant conditions.

5.2 The Environmental Health Officer (Fareham Borough Council) raises no objections to the proposal. Having considered the new application and associated noise report, the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied that the proposals will result in a reduction of noise levels experienced by the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings.

5.3 The Environment Agency raises no objection to the proposal.

5.4 The Highways Adviser raises no objections subject to a condition to restrict the number of lorry movements to 240 per day.

5.5 Mott Gifford (County Council's noise consultant) considers that the noise assessment submitted by the applicant is valid and robust. The proposed modifications to the operational procedures, site layout and other mitigation methods are based on well-established principles and methods of noise control. Furthermore, the proposal is predicted to generate a significantly lower impact on the local noise environment than those of the original application.

6. Representations

6.1 The local Member, Councillor Woodward, raises no objections to the proposal subject to conditions and particularly the following:

(i) that the annual throughput of the site does not exceed 140,000 tonnes;

(ii) that a suitable maximum noise condition is imposed;

(iii) that all noise attenuation bunds are erected prior to commencement;

(iv) that the enforcement notice is not withdrawn;

(v) that a liaison panel for local residents is arranged and chaired by the local member so that any future concerns can be rapidly addressed;

(vi) that a condition is imposed requiring that vehicles are parked within designated areas such that they are not visible from the public highway;

(vii) that a condition is imposed requiring that no standing water shall be present on the haul road;

(viii) that an advice note be attached to the permission stating that while any application will be determined on its merits, the temporary permission for recycling is unlikely to be renewed.

6.2 There have been 13 letters of objection to the proposal. The main reasons for objection are as follows:

(i) the noise impact generated by lorries and the recycling process is unacceptable and differs in type/quality from the predominant background noise created by the motorway;

(ii) the dust impact associated with the recycling activities is unacceptable;

(iii) adverse impact on highway safety and amenity caused by increase in lorry movements;

(iv) the revised proposal moves the recycling operation closer to the residents of Swanwick Lane and therefore, increases the impacts upon those residents;

(v) the proposal is an extension to a site which would otherwise cease and the use is too intensive for a residential area;

(vi) the proposed bunding will be an unattractive, `man-made' feature within a naturally beautiful area; and

(vii) the haul road is inappropriately located near to houses.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 In principle the proposal accords with adopted and emerging development plan policies. The Hampshire County Structure Plan policies MW1 and MW6 and Policy 25 of the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan promote the use of substitute aggregate materials. In summary, they state that permission will normally be granted for facilities to supply these materials within Hampshire provided that the location is suitable for the proposed development (referring to the locational criteria within Policy 46 of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan); and the development would not be likely to cause unacceptable impacts.

7.2 Policy S9 of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Strategy (adopted for submission to the Secretary of State May 2006) identifies a need for a significant increase in recycled aggregates in Hampshire. This need has been exacerbated by the recent Ridge appeal decision. Therefore, there is a clearly established need for the proposal.

7.3 The proposal is for the recycling of construction and demolition waste and the production of secondary aggregates and recycled soils. Policy 46(iii) of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan states that the Waste Planning Authority will normally permit the use of land for the recycling of waste provided that the proposed site is located at a waste disposal facility, the development is connected with the waste disposal operation, and is for a temporary period commensurate with the operational life of that facility. The proposal therefore accords with the locational criteria within Policy 46.

7.4 In October 2005 the Regulatory Committee refused planning permission for recycling at Rookery Farm on the grounds that the proposal would have an adverse noise and dust impact on local residents. In accordance with Counsel's advice, in November 2005 the Regulatory Committee resolved to enforce the noise reason for refusal only. The policy background to the proposal has not changed. Accordingly the material consideration in the determination of the application is whether the proposals for increased noise attenuation - the larger bunds and the type and re-location of plant - currently being proposed will mitigate the noise impact on local residents that was crucial to the earlier decision.

7.5 A noise assessment has been submitted with the application. The assessment includes the noise contributions of all the recycling plant (including the mobile crusher), the loading and unloading of lorries and the noise created by HGV movements. The assessment has been made in a variety of weather conditions including various wind directions. The assessment is considered to be representative of the anticipated noise impact. It concludes that "the overall noise contribution associated with the proposed development should be acceptable in the local community, subject to appropriate conditions".

7.6 In response to local concern the County Council appointed an independent consultant (Mott Gifford) to scrutinise the applicant's noise assessment. Mott Gifford concludes that the noise assessment is valid and robust. The proposed modifications to the operational procedures, site layout and other mitigation methods are based on well-established principles and methods of noise control. Furthermore, the proposal is predicted to generate a significantly lower impact on the local noise environment than that of the previously refused application.

7.7 At the Regulatory Committee meeting on 19 October 2005 Members made particular reference to the likely impact that the `type' or `quality' of the noise would have on local residents. In accordance with relevant guidance the noise assessment has made an allowance for the type of noise created by the proposal (i.e. intermittent `bangs' and `clangs'). Moreover, the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) at Fareham Borough Council has raised no objections and notes that "the proposals will result in a reduction of noise levels experienced by the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings".

7.8 Local residents are concerned that the judgement on likely noise impact is being based upon predicted noise levels rather than an assessment of actual, existing levels - as was the case for the previous application. This concern is noted but it is very rare to have an opportunity to measure actual noise levels prior to determining an application. However, the noise assessment is based upon a sound, scientific methodology and it is considered proper that a judgement be based upon its conclusions and the advice of the County Council's noise consultant and the EHO.

7.9 It is noted that the new proposal relocates the recycling operations closer to Swanwick Lane and particularly Juniper Cottage, which is the nearest house (approximately 200 metres to west) to proposed location of the main recycling plant. The proposed bunds do not form a barrier between the site and Juniper Cottage. However, this area of land is due to be landfilled in the near future and the final land form will create a noise attenuation barrier and negate the need for further bunding. Moreover, the noise report assesses the impact of the proposal on Swanwick Lane and specifically on Juniper Cottage. It concludes that there will not be an unacceptable noise impact on these properties.

7.10 In November 2005, the Regulatory Committee resolved not to defend the refusal at appeal on dust grounds. The underlying dust issues (the creation of dust by the recycling process and the movement of lorries) have not changed since that time. A dust monitoring and management scheme has been submitted to mitigate any potential dust impact. This scheme includes the installation of an automated sprinkler system to damp the haul road and stockpiled materials during dry periods and particularly when the wind is blowing from the south-west towards Swanwick Lane. The dust management scheme is likely to improve the situation experienced by residents hitherto. Furthermore, the EHO raises no objections to the proposal on dust grounds: his comments on the detailed scheme are awaited.

7.11 Lorry movements to the site have increased in recent years in parallel with an increase in activity at the site. There has been local concern that the figures concerning lorry movements do not include those movements associated with the importation of compost and sand for blending purposes. The 240 movement limit proposed, the condition on the previous permission, relates to all lorry movements to and from the site. The current proposal cannot result in any increase beyond that number.

7.12 Since the original recycling permission was granted, Fareham Borough Council has permitted new development within the Park Gate and Swanwick area. There is local concern that there is a cumulative impact on the highway that will be exacerbated by the proposal. However, after examination of all the issues, the Highways Adviser raises no objection to the proposal, subject to a condition to restrict lorry movements to a maximum of 240 per day to include all lorry movements to and from both the landfill site and the recycling proposal together.

7.13 There is also local concern that the proposal will extend the life of the landfill site because waste will be diverted from landfill towards the recycling site. In reality, fiscal constraints on the Rookery Farm landfill site, particularly landfill tax, result in high tipping fees compared to other landfill sites. Therefore, the majority of waste destined for landfill is taken to more commercially competitive sites. The majority of waste deposited at Rookery Farm landfill is imported during short periods of high intensity activity, which arise when the alternative landfills are closed. As a consequence, it is unlikely that the proposal will have a significant impact on the life of the landfill site.

7.14 It is noted that the proposed bunds are large and not part of the natural landform in the area. However, the landscape is dominated by the `unnatural' landform of the landfill site and without the proposed bunds there are uninterrupted views of the landfill site from Swanwick Lane. The bunds are proposed to attenuate the noise created by the recycling operation. However, they also provide the added benefits of a visual screen and noise attenuation for the landfill site. Furthermore, as it is proposed to plant the bunds their appearance will improve over time. On balance, it is considered that the proposed bunds are a benefit to local visual amenity.

7.15 The residents of Rookery Farm and Rookery Barn are particularly concerned by the location of the haul road adjacent to their properties. Options for relocating the haul road have been considered by the applicant. However, these are either impractical or would increase noise nuisance. Moreover, the proposal should be judged on its merits as proposed. The specific concern relates to noise and dust generated by lorry movements. The proposed dust mitigation includes an automated sprinkler system along the haul road, which would significantly address the dust issue. The noise of lorry movements has been included within the noise assessment and is within accepted noise standards. Therefore, the location of the haul road is not considered a justifiable reason for refusal.

7.16 The applicant has proposed that a liaison panel be formed to address future planning and management issues at the site. The principle of a liaison panel is supported and the local Member, Councillor Woodward, has offered to chair future liaison meetings.

7.17 In conclusion, the principal issue is whether the noise impact of the proposal is acceptable. The revised layout and increased noise attenuation is considered to be a significant improvement on the proposals refused by the Regulatory Committee in October. The advice of the County Council's noise consultant and the EHO is that the noise issue has been satisfactorily addressed and therefore, a refusal on noise grounds is unsustainable. The proposal accords with the Development Plan and it is considered that there are no justifiable reasons for refusal. Therefore it is recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions.

Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of the recycling facility for processing of inert construction and demolition material at Rookery Farm Landfill Site, Botley Road, Swanwick (P/06/0443/CC) 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 the impact on the amenity of local residents would be acceptable. In addition, the proposal would be acceptable in terms of highway safety and convenience.

Conditions

Timescale

(1) The recycling operations hereby permitted shall cease on or before 30 June 2021 or by the completion of the Rookery Farm landfill, whichever is the sooner.

Reason: To minimise the duration of disturbance from the recycling operations.

Hours of Working

(2) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority no heavy goods vehicles shall enter or leave the site and no plant or machinery shall be operated except between the following hours: 0730-1730 Monday to Friday and 0800-1230 Saturday. There shall be no working on Sunday or recognised public holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Noise, Dust and Odour

(3) Subject to a maximum of 55 dB LAeq 1 hour (free-field), the noise level at the nearest dwelling shall not exceed the background level (LA90 in the absence of noise from the site during a comparable time period) by more than 10 dB.

Reason: To prevent noise disturbance to the residents of the nearest houses.

(4) The site shall be operated in accordance with the Code of Practice for Site Operators submitted with the application (dated March 2006).

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(5) The dust management scheme submitted with the application (SRC March 06) shall be implemented for the duration of the development

Reason: In the interests of local amenities.

(6) Prior to commencing operations a noise monitoring scheme shall be submitted to and approved by the Waste Planning Authority in writing. The approved scheme shall be implemented for the duration of the development.

Reason: In the interests of local amenities.

(7) All vehicles, plant and machinery operated within the site shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' specification at all times, and shall be fitted with and use effective silencers.

Reason: To minimise noise disturbance from operations at the site.

(8) No development shall commence until noise attenuation bunds on the northern and north eastern boundary of the application site and the bund erected adjacent to the recycling plant, as shown on Drw. No. 05031/200/A have been erected. They shall thereafter be maintained in accordance with the approved plans for the duration of the development.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(9) A scheme for the planting of the bunds shown on Drw. No. 05031/200/A shall be submitted for the approval of the Waste Planning Authority within 3 months of the date of this permission. The scheme shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To ensure appropriate landscaping of the site.

Highways

(10) The total number of lorry movements in connection with the landfill and recycling at Rookery Farm shall not exceed 240 per day (120 in and 120 out). A record of all lorries entering and leaving the site shall be kept at the site office and made available to the Waste Planning Authority within seven days of a written request.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and the amenity of the local area.

(11) All lorries leaving the site shall use the wheel cleaning facilities indicated on Drawing No. RB-EB/ROO/PRO/05. No lorry shall leave the site unless its wheels have been cleaned sufficiently to prevent mud being carried onto the highway.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

(12) All loaded vehicles entering or leaving the site shall be sheeted and/or netted to prevent material escaping from the vehicles and being deposited on the highway.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and public amenity.

(13) The parking of vehicles and earth moving equipment shall be restricted to the weighbridge area and recycling site as shown on Drawing No. 05031/200/A, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of local visual amenity.

Lighting

(14) There shall be no lighting on site other than 6 No. 500 watt halogen lights at a maximum height of six metres. All lighting must face into the site.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Restoration

(15) A programme of restoration for the whole site (Application No. FBC 7803/4 landfill and recycling area), including phases 2, 3 and 4 of the landfill site, shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority by 30 September 2006 and thereafter implemented as approved. The restoration programme shall include, amongst other measures, the cessation of recycling by 30 June 2021 and the completion of tipping by 31 December 2026, and final restoration of the site within one year of the latter date.

Reason: To ensure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

Aftercare

(16) An aftercare scheme requiring that such steps as may be necessary to bring each phase of the land restored (including phases 2, 3 and 4 of landfill - Application No. FBC 7803/4) to the required standard for use for agriculture shall be submitted for the approval of the Waste Planning Authority not later than two years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To ensure the satisfactory restoration of the site.

Miscellaneous

(17) No stockpiles shall exceed five metres in height. A line shall be painted on the lighting column, or other permanent structure agreed in writing with the Waste Planning Authority, to clearly indicate five metres in height.

Reason: To protect the local visual amenity.

(18) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority, no plant or machinery shall be brought onto the site other than a mobile crushing unit, a screening unit, a hydraulic excavator, a wheeled loading shovel, washing plant and bulldozer.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(19) No development shall commence until a drainage scheme for the haul road has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and residential amenity.

(20) The annual throughput of the recycling site shall not exceed 140,000 tonnes. A record of the weight of material imported for recycling shall be kept at the site office and made available to the Waste Planning Authority within seven days of a written request.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity and limiting the impacts of the proposal.

Advice Note

Notwithstanding that every application should be determined on its merits, it is considered unlikely that planning permission for an extension of the temporary of time would be viewed favourably. This is because the continuation of the recycling facility beyond 2021 would delay completion on the landfill.

922/NC

Annexe to Reasons for Conditions

(as required by Article 22 of the Town and Country Planning

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

__________________________________________________________________

Hampshire County Structure Plan (Review) 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.

Policy MW6

Planning authorities will seek a reduction in the quantity of waste requiring treatment or disposal, including a significant reduction in the quantity of non-inert waste disposed by landfilling.

The waste planning authorities will seek, through policies and proposals in the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan and day- to-day development control, the provision of sufficient facilities to meet the need for the management of all unavoidable waste (excluding special waste) arising in Hampshire.

Having regard to Policy MW1(v), permission will be granted for:

(i) facilities for the re-use and recycling of waste, including the production of secondary and recycled aggregate materials;

(ii) facilities for composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration with energy recovery and other methods of resource recovery waste processing sufficient only to cater for unavoidable non-inert waste which is not re-used or recycled;

(iii) landfill capacity sufficient only for the disposal of unavoidable waste which is no re-used, recycled or processed; and

(iv) waste transfer stations to serve areas of local waste processing and disposal facility shortages;

provided that the development would not have unacceptable environmental, traffic or other impact.

Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan (Adopted) 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 25

Secondary aggregates

The Mineral Planning Authorities will grant planning permission for the use of land and the erection of plant and buildings for the production or supply of secondary or substitute aggregate materials (including aggregates produced from waste materials ) provided they are satisfied that:

(i) the location is suitable for the development proposed; and

(ii) the development would not be likely to cause unacceptable environmental, traffic or other impact.

In assessing the suitability of proposed sites for the production or supply of secondary or substitute aggregate materials the Mineral Planning Authority will have particular regard to the criteria for the location of waste recycling facilities in Policy 46.

The current extent of use of secondary or substitute aggregate materials is not fully known and it is not yet possible accurately to forecast future availability of and demand for these materials. Much will depend upon what, if any, measures the Government takes to encourage and promote their use. The April 1994 version of MPG6 sets targets for the use of secondary and recycled material in England of 40 million tonnes a year by 2001 and 55 million tonnes a year by 2006. It envisages a total of 140 million tonnes of secondary and recycled material being used in the South East region over the period 1992-2006, being about 26 per cent of the total for England. Assuming that about 8 per cent of the aggregates consumed in the South East Region are used in Hampshire, the equivalent target figures for the use of secondary and recycled material in Hampshire are about 0.8 million tonnes a year by 2001 and about 1.1 million tonnes a year by 2006. The Councils believe that there is, in particular, potential for a significant increase in the production and use of aggregates from construction and demolition waste in Hampshire. Therefore, the establishment of waste crushing and recycling plants for the production of aggregate materials will be supported at suitable locations.

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.

Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Strategy (Adopted for submission 2006)

Policy S9 - Recycled and Secondary Aggregates

By 2016, production capacity will be provided for the supply of recycked and secondary aggregates at a rate of 1.7 million tonnes a year, including provision for the reprocessing of 100,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash.

20.21 The mineral Planning Authorities will identify sites and locations in the Hampshire Minerals Plan, for the "strategic" processing of Incinerator Bottom Ash and construction, demolition and excavation waste, sufficient to contribute to the supply of recycled and secondary aggregate at a rate of 1.7 million tonnes a year. It is also recognised that long life, if not permanent, facilities are needed to attract sufficient investment to enable the manufacture of aggregates to the high standards required for use in construction. A review will be carried out, as part of the preparation of the Hampshire Minerals Plan, to establish whether any of the existing time-limited recycling operations, presently linked to restoration works, are in suitable locations for permanent operation.