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

1. Summary

1.1 Planning permission is sought to construct a wastewater treatment package plant in the grounds of Avington House, Avington. Currently wastewater is being discharged into the River Itchen without adequate treatment.

1.2 There is a clearly established need for the proposal to improve wastewater treatment at Avington to meet current discharge standards. The site is located within a sensitive area but the proposal would not have any impact of significance on the Conservation Area, adjacent Listed Building or on local amenity with regard to visual impact, noise or odour. Although the site is the same as the planning application last year which was refused permission, the current proposals are for a smaller plant and the amendments have significantly reduced the impact and addressed the reasons for refusal of the previous application. The recommendation is that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

2. Recommendation

That planning permission for a change of use of land to be leased by Southern Water, construction of a wooden building to house a control shelter and blower shelter, package plant and boundary fence at Avington Wastewater Treatment Works Package Plant, Avington Park, Avington, Winchester (Application No. 08/000574/HCS) (County Council Ref: WR209) be granted, subject to conditions set out 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), would not materially harm the character of the conservation area or the setting of the adjacent listed building, as the plant and building would not be visible from outside the site, and would not materially harm the amenity of local residents by reason of noise or odour.

3. Site and Proposal

3.1 The site, as shown on the attached plan, comprises 0.335 hectares and is situated within the grounds of Avington Park, Avington. The nearest dwelling is approximately 10 metres from the edge of the application site.

3.2 The site is located within a Conservation Area and an Historic Park and Garden. The southern boundary of the site is defined by a three metre high Listed wall. To the east lies the village Church, which is also Listed. To the north of the site is Avington House and beyond lies the River Itchen, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The land around the River Itchen is also a flood plain. The site is within the proposed South Downs National Park.

3.3 Waste water is currently being discharged into the River Itchen after screening to remove gross solids and does not meet current Environment Agency discharge standards. It is proposed to divert flows to a new wastewater treatment package plant which would provide primary and secondary treatment, the treated effluent would then be returned to the existing sewerage system for discharge to the River Itchen.

3.4 Last year an application was submitted for a waste water treatment plant in the same location. This application was refused by the Committee on the grounds that the proposal would have an adverse impact on the setting of a Grade 1 listed building (St Mary's church) and due to its size and scale would have an adverse impact on the Conservation Area. The proposals have been amended to provide a smaller plant, and to locate the control equipment and blowers within a wooden building which is lower than the building previously proposed.

3.5 The proposals would consist of a wooden building (measuring 2.61 metres wide x 2.61 metres long x 1.70 metres high) to house the control equipment, emergency batteries and blowers and a package plant (measuring 3.0 metres wide x 8.40 metres long x 0.50 metres high) comprising a primary tank; a biological filter; and a humus tank. A 1.8 metre high close-boarded wooden fence would be erected around the boundary of the site. A yew hedge would be planted alongside the fence.

3.6 A temporary constructor's compound will be located within the existing car park, adjacent to the plant, for the duration of the works.

3.7 The planning application is accompanied by noise monitoring and assessment reports which concluded that, taking into account attenuation by the building, barrier and distance, the proposed development would not be audible at the nearest house (The Cottage) nor will it be audible within St Mary's churchyard.

3.8 The applicant has also considered impact for protected species and concluded there would be no impact. The potential for the proposal to impact Great Crested Newts was specifically considered, the consultant ecologist concluding that the site presented an unsuitable habitat, had poor connectivity to the nearest pond (over 500 metres away) and there were no historic records of their presence near to the site.

4. Development Plan

4.1 Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy: Policy S7 (specialist facilities); Policy DC2 (sites with international and national designations) and Policy DC4 (historic heritage) apply.

5. Consultations

5.1 Itchen Valley Parish Council comments that the proposal last year was refused, and is of the opinion that the grounds have not been overcome by the revised application. Therefore raises objection on the following grounds:

(i) the proposed siting of the plant is still in the same place, in the centre of a small picturesque village in a conservation area that will also be part of the National Park;

(ii) it is now even closer to the Grade II Listed wall and the Grade I Listed Church, which will almost certainly have an adverse effect on the quiet enjoyment of the church and churchyard because of noise and odour;

(iii) the package plant is smaller than the first proposal but the building that houses the operating equipment, although lower, is now even larger; and

(iv) although there is a need for the development the proposal does not properly address those needs as Avington House and flats are not included. It has not been demonstrated that the need could be met at a more environmentally acceptable site.

5.2 Winchester City Council raises no objection subject to conditions concerning hours of working for construction and maintenance, no burning on site and an Odour Management Plan.

5.3 The Environmental Health Officer (Winchester City Council) raises no objections to the proposal subject to conditions to restrict the hours of construction, to control noise and odour and ensure no materials are burnt on the site.

5.4 The Environment Agency raises no objections to the proposal.

5.5 Natural England raises no objections to the proposal.

5.6 South Downs Joint Committee raises no objection to the proposal.

5.7 English Heritage has no comment on the proposal.

5.8 The Garden History Society has concerns about the impact of the proposal on the setting of the historic landscape. If permission is granted the Society recommends further (in addition to the proposed fence and hedge) mitigation by additional landscape works to screen the development.

5.9 The Highways Authority raises no objections to the proposal subject to a condition requiring a construction traffic management plan to be submitted prior to development commencing.

5.10 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Porter, raises objection to the proposal on behalf of the local community. Supports objections raised by Itchen Valley Parish Council and local residents.

6. Representations

6.1 To date 22 letters of objection to the proposal have been received. The main reasons for objection are challenging the need for the proposal, the proposed location is inappropriate, the increase in noise and odour, the impact on the Conservation Area, Avington House not connected to system, reduction in house prices and impact on the adjacent Grade 1 Listed Church. One letter of support received commenting that currently sewage from the village seeps into an open ditch on the edge of the lawn to the west of Avington House.

7. Commentary

7.1 Policy S7 of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy states that provision will be made for new sewage treatment sites where needed. The proposal is to treat the sewage arising from Avington which is currently discharged into the River Itchen without adequate treatment to meet current Environment Agency standards. There is a clearly established need for the proposal and therefore the principle of the proposal accords with Policy S7.

7.2 Last year an application was submitted for a wastewater treatment plant in the same location which was refused by the Committee on the grounds that the proposal would have an adverse impact for the listed building (St Mary's church) and the Conservation Area. The proposals have been amended to provide a smaller plant, and to locate the control equipment and blowers within a wooden building which is lower than the building previously proposed. Therefore the main issues are still whether the proposal gives rise to any unacceptable environmental issues, including those relating to the historic environment, and whether the amendments now proposed have addressed the reasons for refusal on the previous application.

7.3 Local residents and the Parish Council remain concerned that the proposal will create an unacceptable noise impact. However the elements of the proposed plant that are likely to generate noise are located within glass reinforced plastic housings, which are within a wooden building. The applicant has undertaken a noise survey and assessment. This concluded that the plant will be inaudible, and having considered the survey the Environmental Health Officer raises no objection to the proposal subject to conditions. These conditions are included in Appendix 1.

7.4 There is also concern locally that the sewage treatment plant will create an odour nuisance. Odour is unlikely to be an issue except during maintenance, and condition can be imposed to restrict maintenance and works at the site plant to between 0800 and 1800 hours Monday to Friday, thus minimising conflict with residents and the church. An odour management scheme would also be required to manage the issue. The Environmental Health Officer raises no objection subject to such conditions.

7.5 There is strong local concern that the site is inappropriately located close to the village of Avington and therefore any potential impacts on residents would be maximised. Avington is clearly a very sensitive area therefore suitable sites for the wastewater treatment plant are very limited. Alternative sites have been considered and rejected due to their impacts on designated sites, such as Avington Park and the River Itchen. However the issue is whether the current proposal is considered likely to give rise to any significant impacts, in terms of visual impact, noise and odour, that would justify a refusal of planning permission.

7.6 The Parish Council and the local community previously questioned whether the plant is an appropriate size to treat sewage from Avington, particularly as many of the local residents have septic tanks. Legislation states that Southern Water must allow people to connect to the foul sewer should they wish, and they have reviewed likely demand. This review has reduced the size of the plant from one serving a population equivalent of 114 down to 60. There has been comment that the proposed plant does not treat sewage from Avington House, however it is understood that it is possible to connect to the system and Southern Water has discussed this with residents of Avington House. The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring discharge into the River Itchen and sets the standards for discharge, and has informed Southern Water that the current facilities do not provide appropriate treatment.

7.7 The impact of the proposal on the Conservation Area and the surrounding Listed structures, including the Church, has been raised by local residents and the Parish Council. The proposal has been located so as to minimise views of the site. The proposed wooden building, to house the control equipment and blowers, would not be visible as it is lower and behind the adjacent wall. Therefore there would not be any visual impact beyond the site boundary and no visual impact on the Conservation Area. This would address the previous reason for refusal.

7.8 In conclusion there is a clearly established need for the proposal to improve wastewater treatment at Avington. The site is located within a sensitive area but the proposal would not have any impact of significance on the Conservation Area, adjacent Listed Building or on local amenity with regard to visual impact, noise or odour. The amendments to the proposal have significantly reduced the impact of the previous proposal and addressed the reasons for refusal of the previous application. The recommendation is that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

1669/PDC

APPENDIX 1

Conditions

Commencement

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

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

Hours of Working

(2) No work relating to the demolition, construction and operation of plant and machinery, including works of preparation prior to operations, the delivery of construction materials, skips or machinery, nor the removal of waste materials, shall take place before the 0800 or after 1800 hours Monday to Friday inclusive, before 0800 or after 1300 hours on Saturday and not at all on Sunday or recognised public holidays, unless otherwise agreed beforehand in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To protect the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties.

(3) With the exception of an emergency, all maintenance and other works shall take place between 0800 and 1800 hours Monday to Friday and not at all on Saturday, Sunday or public holidays.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Highways

(4) Prior to development commencing a construction traffic management plan shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

Noise and Odour

(5) The plant shall not be commissioned until an odour management plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Waste Planning Authority. The plant shall be maintained and operated in accordance with the approved odour management plan unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

(6) Once constructed, noise from the plant, machinery and equipment installed on the site shall not be audible at the nearest house nor in St Mary's churchyard.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Landscape

(7) The trees to be retained shall be protected during building operations in accordance with a scheme that shall be submitted to and approved by the Waste Planning Authority in writing prior to development commencing. The trees shall not be lopped, topped, felled or destroyed without the prior approval in writing of the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the enhancement of the development by the retention of natural features.

(8) The plant and building shall be surrounded by a fence and hedge as shown on Drawing No. AB.44293.01902. Prior to development commencing details of the hedge shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The details shall specify the size and species and provision for future maintenance. Any plants which, within a period of five years from the date of planting, die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species. The details shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity.

(9) The wooden building containing the control equipment and blowers shall be constructed in accordance with the details shown on Drawing No. AB.44293.01903.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and protecting the historic environment.

Miscellaneous

(10) No materials shall be burnt on site.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity and public health.

(11) No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of the programme of archaeological work in accordance with the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation.

Reason: In the interests of archaeology.

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 Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD 2007

Policy DC2 - Sites with International and National Designations

Minerals and waste development, which is likely to prejudice the purpose of the following designated sites, will not be permitted unless the reasons for development outweigh the likely adverse impact, taking into account the requirements of relevant legislation and guidance.

Internationally Designated Sites:

European Sites ( Special Protection Areas, proposed Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, proposed Special Areas of Conservation) and Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance );

Nationally Designated Sites:

The New Forest National Park, the proposed South Downs National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; National Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Scheduled Ancient Monuments and their settings; Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, and sites on the National Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest; Registered Battlefields.

In all case, applications will be subject to the most rigorous examination.

Policy DC4 - Historic Heritage

Minerals and waste development will be granted if due regard is given to the likely effects on the need to protect and safeguard sites of archaeological, historical, and architectural importance, and the settings of these sites.

Policy S7 - Specialist Facilities

Hazardous waste management capacity will be increased by reviewing and revising the capacity and potential of existing treatment and landfill sites.

Provision will be made for the following specialist waste operations:

a. Biological processing, capable of handling 385,000 tonnes a year of biowaste, and

b. Soil Hospitals (for remediation of contaminated soils) capable of treating 35,000 tonnes a year, and

c. Recycling (or Treatment) of Air Pollution Control Residues capable of handling at least 20,000 tonnes a year, and

d. Energy Recovery from Waste Biomass (inc. Wood) capable of handling a minimum of 50,000 tonnes a year of contaminated waste wood, and

e. If needed, disassembly plants capable of handling 35,000 tonnes a year of waste electrical equipment, and

f. Facilities on farms for the storage/processing and recycling of farm waste, and

g. If needed, expansion of existing sites or new sites for the treatment of sewage and trade effluent.