Contact: Julia Davey, ext 6732 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought to construct and operate a waste transfer station at Blue Haze/Chatsworth Landfill Site for a temporary period until 2020 to tie-in with the expected closure of the landfill site. The proposal would replace the existing smaller waste transfer facility at the adjacent Somerley Landfill Site (due to close December 2007) and the waste transfer permission that was never implemented at the application site granted on 24 October 2006. The applicant states there is a need and a contractual obligation to service Project Integra, to replace the Somerley transfer station, and to provide a delivery point in this part of south-west Hampshire for the onward transfer of waste to recovery, recycling or processing points further away.

2. Recommendation

That permission for Temporary Waste Transfer Station at Blue Haze Landfill, Verwood Road, Ringwood (Application No. 07/90182) be granted subject to conditions attached in Appendix 1.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposal would be in accordance with the development plan (summary attached as Appendix 2) 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.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, extends across an area of 0.6 hectares within the north-west corner of the Blue Haze/Chatsworth Landfill which overall extends across approximately 31 hectares. The site is flat and was, until very recently, the stockpiling area for the mineral extracted form the Blue Haze Sand Quarry, now worked out. The whole of the landfill site is located within Ringwood Forest Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and is accessed via a long concrete haul road from the B3081 Ringwood to Verwood Road, approximately 3.5 kilometres north of the junction with the A31. The B3081 forms part of the Minerals and Waste Lorry Route as identified within the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy. A road junction known locally as the `Bakers Hanging Junction', where the B3081 joins the rural road known as Harbridge Drove, is approximately three kilometres to the south-east. This junction was improved through the requirements of a Section 106 Agreement attached to the current Chatsworth/Blue Haze landfill permission granted in 1999 (No. 00060405M).

3.2 The nearest dwellings are Belt Cottage and Blue Haze Kennels located approximately 600 metres to the east, and Ebblake House approximately 720 metres to the west. The site is surrounded by commercial forestry to the north and west with the active landfill to the east and south. A bridleway runs beyond the commercial woodland to the north of the site.

3.3 Permission was granted for the construction of a waste transfer facility at the site in October 2006 (No. 06/88472) . This permission was not implemented because the building that was approved is no longer considered suitable. This new application includes a revised building and increased waste throughput.

3.4 The proposed waste transfer facility would involve an increase in the volume and range of wastes above that permitted in 2006. It proposes an addition of 8,000 tonnes of combustible household waste, being bulked up for transfer to the Marchwood Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), on top of the 4,000 tonnes of recyclables and 2,500 tonnes of green waste permitted in 2006. This equates to a small increase in vehicle movements when compared to the existing Somerley waste transfer of approximately two loads per day. As a consequence, it is proposed to increase the size of the previously permitted Waste Transfer building at Blue Haze.

3.5 The proposal would comprise a steel-frame agricultural-style building measuring 30 metres long x 20 metres wide x 11 metres high (8.5 metres to the eaves) with a concrete base surrounded by a concrete hard standing. The site would also comprise a new weighbridge, which would initially be operated remotely from the existing offices' weighbridge on the landfill site to the south until 2015 when it would be relocated adjacent to the proposed weighbridge.

3.6 Hours of working would be the same as for the existing landfill, notably 0700-1800 Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 0700-1630 on Saturday and 0800-1630 on Sunday and bank holidays (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which are restricted to domestic and household waste recycling centre waste only and to 40 lorry loads or 80 movements). The waste transfer station would operate within these hours.

3.7 The applicant states that prior to the commencement of the development a reptile fence would be installed around the perimeter. This would link into the existing fence around the quarry and would be maintained during both construction and operation of the site. Also as a precaution to deter birds the building forecourt would be enclosed by chain link fencing.

3.8 The facility would be managed in accordance with pollution prevention measures set out in the waste licence issued by the Environment Agency.

3.9 The applicant states that there is an ongoing need in the locality for a waste transfer facility to manage the waste streams identified. Alternative transfer facilities are available at Marchwood some 30 kilometres to the east. However, in the context of waste collected from western parts of Hampshire, the Marchwood site would involve considerable transport distances and is too remote to receive direct deliveries. The proposed development location is consistent with the proximity principle embedded within policy objectives expressed through development plans, regional and national strategies and Government guidance.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire County Structure Plan - Policy MW1 (hierarchy of waste facilities) and Policy MW2 (need for waste facilities balance against environmental impacts) apply.

4.2 Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy: Policy DC13 (waste management and recycling) applies.

5. Consultations

5.1 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Heron, has been informed of the proposals.

5.2 Ellingham Harbridge and Ibsley Parish Council raises no objection to the proposal.

5.3 Verwood Town Council raises objections to the application. It is concerned about noise and dust, and needs assurance that this will be monitored. Concern at lorry routeing going through Verwood. Concern at capacity of B3081 to take extra traffic as it thinks this is a busy and dangerous road. Concern at lack of clarity of end dates, when the process will cease.

5.4 Dorset County Council raises objection on the following grounds:

(i) It is uncertain whether the proposed development will cease after the proposed timescales.

(ii) Information relating to expected increases in vehicle movements is unclear.

(iii) Considers that a full Traffic Impact Assessment is required due to potentially significant increase of traffic movements along B3081, potential impacts on Bakers Hanging Junction, increased traffic movements on the B3081 since the landfill was permitted and the poor accident record along the B3081.

(iv) Although levels for inbound lorry movements are below trigger levels for financial contributions within the current legal agreement, a contribution should be considered towards improvements to the B3081 from this proposal.

5.5 The Environment Agency raises no objection in principle subject to conditions relating to drainage.

5.6 New Forest District Council has been informed of the proposal.

5.7 The Environmental Health Officer has been informed of the proposal.

5.8 The Highways Authority comments that the site is accessed directly from the B3081 Verwood Road which is part of the Hampshire lorry network. The site access was constructed for heavy goods vehicle traffic and is therefore suitable for the type of traffic generated by the proposal. This application has been submitted in conjunction with an application for a temporary Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) facility. The Highways Authority is satisfied that the movements that would be created by the Waste Transfer Station and the IBA facility can be accommodated on the existing highway network, and raises no objection to the planning application subject to the conditions concerning prevention of mud on the road and parking provision within the site.

6. Representations

6.1 No representations have been received to the proposal.

7. Chief Planning Adviser's Comments

7.1 The principle of the proposal is in accordance with waste policy because the waste transfer facility is proposed on an active permitted landfill site with good access to the minerals and waste lorry routes and is for a temporary period whilst the landfill is operational. The main issues raised by the proposal are potential nature conservation, landscape, amenity and pollution impacts, with the key issue being that of highways and traffic impact.

7.2 It considered that there will be no significant adverse visual impacts caused by the proposal: the site is contained within the commercial forestry plantation and is a significant distance from the nearest residential properties. If permission is granted a condition relating to the colour of the building and texture of the materials would be used to ensure they are non-reflective and sensitive to the countryside location. Likewise, an appropriate condition relating to proposed lighting would ensure that any visual impact is limited, and also any impact to nature conservation interest of the surrounding SINC, in particular with regards to nocturnal species of bats and dormice.

7.3 Whilst it is noted the applicants propose to install reptile fencing to link with existing fencing around the site, if permission is granted a pre-commencement condition would be attached relating to survey and translocation of reptiles to ensure there is no potential breach of legislation with regard to killing and injury of reptiles. Conditions would also be attached relating to the reptile fencing specification.

7.4 With regards to noise, while the formal comments of the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) are awaited, the distance of the site from the nearest properties is such that it is not expected that a noise nuisance would be caused by site operations. However, if the EHO suggests it, the noise condition attached to the landfill permission could be carried forward as a precaution to apply to the waste transfer station also.

7.5 It is noted that the Environment Agency raises no objection in principle to the proposal subject to a pre-commencement condition relating to drainage.

7.6 Dorset County Council and Verwood Town Council raise concern about additional lorry traffic affecting the B3081, particularly the Bakers Hanging Junction. This issue was raised by Dorset County Council with the original planning permission for the landfill. As a result, Dorset entered a legal agreement with the applicant and landowners which secured improvements to this junction and also gave a trigger level for a major contribution towards further improvements if the number of lorry deliveries to the site increased beyond 12,500 for a three month period. The current number of lorries delivering to the site (averaging just under 7,000 for a three month period) is well below this trigger level and the

total with the additional 52 daily lorry movements associated with the IBA proposal would still be well under this level. Therefore the lorry movements would be within previously accepted limits, and further improvements and financial contribution as requested by Dorset County Council cannot be justified.

7.7 Verwood Town Council also expresses concern about possible traffic through Verwood. This would not be the case with the waste transfer operations as all movements would be to and from the A31. In relation to the Town Council's concerns about noise and odour, the existing requirements would continue to apply through planning conditions.

7.8 In conclusion there is a very strong need for a waste transfer facility to serve the south-west area of Hampshire and the location within the active Blue Haze Landfill for a temporary period fully accords with policy. There would be additional lorry traffic on the B3081 but this would be within previously accepted levels. Therefore it is recommended that planning permission be granted.

1420/JD

APPENDIX 1

Conditions

Commencement

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

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

Timescale

(2) The use of the waste transfer station shall cease by 22 March 2020 or the cessation of tipping at the Blue Haze Landfill Site whichever is the sooner. Within six months of cessation of use, all waste, plant and equipment, the building, foundations, hardstandings, weighbridge and structures, shall be removed and the site restored to forestry.

Reason: In the interest of amenity.

Hours of Working

(3) Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority no lorries shall enter or leave the site and no plant or machinery shall be operated except between the following hours: 0700-1800 Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), 0700-1400 Saturday and 0800-16.30 Sunday and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

(4) The use of the waste transfer station on Sunday and public holidays shall be restricted to domestic and household waste recycling centre waste only, and lorry movements on these days shall be restricted to 80 per day (ie 40 in and 40 out).

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

Nature Conservation

(5) Prior to development commencing the site shall be fenced with reptile-proof fencing and surveyed for the presence of reptiles and the results submitted to the Waste Planning Authority. The survey shall be carried out in accordance with details agreed by the Waste Planning Authority in advance. If reptiles are found on the site a scheme for their removal to ensure they are not harmed shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing and implemented as approved before development commences. The fence shall be maintained for the duration of the development.

Reason: In order to ensure no harm to protected species.

Waste Tipping

(6) All tipping of waste and loading of waste shall take place within the waste transfer station and netted area, and waste shall only be stored within the transfer bays, as shown on Drawing no.2.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

Highways

(7) Vehicular access will be via the existing Blue Haze Landfill Site access from the B3081 Verwood Road only.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

(8) All vehicles leaving the site carrying waste shall be sheeted.

Reason: In the interest of local amenity.

(9) Details of measures to be taken to prevent mud from vehicles leaving the site during the construction works being deposited on the public highway shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing and fully implemented before the development commences. Such measures shall be retained for the duration of the construction period.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

(10) Details of provision to be made for the parking and turning on site of operatives' and construction vehicles during the contract period shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing and fully implemented before development commences. Such measures shall be retained for the duration of the construction period.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

Groundwater Protection

(11) No development subject of this permission shall commence until a scheme for the construction (including plans) of the concrete pad and the drainage has been approved in writing by the Waste Planning authority and thereafter implemented as approved.

Reason: The site overlies the Branksome sand formation, a secondary aquifer as defined by the Environment Agency's `Groundwater Protection: Policy and Practice' (GP3).

Building Materials

(12) The building approved by way of Drawing No. 3 (April 2007) shall be implemented in accordance with this approved drawing and in accordance with details to be agreed beforehand by the Waste Planning Authority in writing with regards to colour and texture.

Reason: To minimise any visual impact created by the building in this rural area.

Lighting

(13) Prior to the commencement of the development a lighting scheme for the development subject of this permission shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing and thereafter implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interest of local amenities and the nature conservation interests of the Ringwood Forest Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Noise

(14) Noise from operations on the site, (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority in relation to noise caused by initial site preparation works/temporary development) including both fixed plant and mobile machinery shall not exceed 55dB(A) LAeq, 1 hour (freefield) as measured at the façade of the nearest houses, and the operators shall take such measures, including insulation of plant and machinery and the provision of acoustic screening as may be necessary to ensure that this noise level is not exceeded.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the area.

APPENDIX 2

Annexe to Reasons for Conditions

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

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

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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.

Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy

Policy DC13 - Waste Management and Recycling

Waste management developments (excluding landfill) will be permitted provided that the site:

a. Is identified as a site, or within an area suitable for waste management uses, in the Hampshire Waste Management Plan, or

b. Re-uses/redevelops previously developed land and/or redundant agricultural and forestry buildings (including their curtilages), or

c. Is within a planned area of large-scale development, or

d. Is on employment land, preferably co-located with complementary activities, and

e. Has good access to, the minerals and waste lorry route as shown on the Key Diagram, and where possible, the site enables the use of waterborne and rail freight, and

f. In the case of recovery and treatment sites, incoming waste shall be subject to pre-treatment, either on or off site to maximise the potential for recycling, and where technically possible, energy will be generated and used and the by-products, including heat, will be reused or recycled, and

g. In the case of sites providing public access, the site shall be accessible for use by disabled people.