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

1. Summary

1.1 Last year planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of the former Marchwood Incinerator site to provide a permanent waste transfer station and household waste recycling centre. The redevelopment involved the demolition of a former incinerator building and two redundant buildings, the construction of a new waste transfer station and included a new temporary waste transfer station until the new facility was operational. This redevelopment has not yet commenced because of land contamination issues associated with previous landfill at the site which need to be resolved.

1.2 The proposed changes are to the temporary transfer station by retaining the existing transfer bay for dry recyclables, and erecting an open fronted `Dutch barn' style building to replace the open netted bays previously approved for the waste transfer station.

1.3 In conclusion the proposals will not have an adverse visual impact and there are environmental benefits by providing better containment for the waste. This proposal will result in no additional impacts, including traffic, over and above those already considered when granting planning consent for the redevelopment last year.

2. Recommendation

That planning permission in respect of the revised waste transfer station to that approved under planning permission 07/89251 at Marchwood Transfer Station, Bury Road, Marchwood be granted for the following reason, and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1.

Reason for Approval

It is considered that the proposals will not have an adverse visual impact and there are environmental benefits by providing better containment for the waste. This proposal will result in no additional impacts, including traffic, over and above those already considered when granting planning consent for the redevelopment last year and therefore is 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

3.1 The former Marchwood Incinerator site, as shown on the attached plan, comprises an area of 2.4 hectares and is located next to the junction of Bury Road and Normandy Way on the outskirts of Marchwood. Two high voltage power lines cross the site. The site contains the former Marchwood Incinerator building and adjoins an established household waste recycling centre (HWRC). To the west of the site is Slowhill Copse Waste Water Treatment Works. To the north are Eling and Bury Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Solent and Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA)/RAMSAR. The site is within the Totton/Eling and Marchwood Strategic Gap. The nearest houses, other than those on the site to be demolished, are approximately 200 metres away.

4. History

4.1 The Marchwood Incinerator opened in 1975 and continued operating through to 1996, when it ceased operation due to the introduction of more stringent pollution control requirements. Planning permission for a new Energy Recovery Incinerator at the nearby Marchwood Industrial Park was granted in 2001. This has now been constructed and is fully operational.

4.2 In 1991 planning permission was granted for the HWRC on land next to the incinerator. The HWRC has a separate public access from Normandy Way. Servicing access is through the Incinerator site.

4.3 In 1996 planning permission was granted to use the former incinerator building as a waste transfer station. The purpose was to maintain the waste management service until the new Energy Recovery Incinerator came into operation. Consequently this was a temporary consent which, as subsequently amended, expired 31 December 2006. As part of this permission the chimney stack and large items of pollution control equipment were removed. The permission includes a requirement to demolish the incinerator building on cessation of use.

4.4 In 2007 planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of the site to provide a replacement waste transfer station and HWRC and temporary extension of time for retention of existing waste transfer station until redevelopment commences. The redevelopment involved the demolition of former incinerator building and two redundant buildings, the construction of a new waste transfer station and a new temporary waste transfer station until the new facility was operational. This redevelopment has not yet commenced because of land contamination issues associated with previous landfill at the site which need to be resolved.

5. Proposals

5.1 The approved scheme included the removal of the existing storage bays and their replacement with a larger temporary waste transfer station. This new facility was to be an area enclosed by a five metre high wall of sleepers topped by five metre high netting. The use for waste transfer would cease when the new permanent facility became operational.

5.2 The proposed changes are to retain the existing transfer bay for dry recyclables, and to erect an open-fronted `Dutch barn' style building (measuring about 9.4 metres in height, 28 metres width and 13 metres depth) to replace the open netted bays. The transfer station would be enclosed by three metre high sleeper walls with netting between the wall and the roof. The purpose is to provide greater enclosure to reduce potential amenity issues arising from windblown litter and water getting into the waste. As with the previous proposals the facility would be removed when the new permanent waste transfer station became operational.

6. Development Plan

6.1 Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy (July 2007) Policy DC13 concerns waste management and recycling facilities.

7. Consultations

7.1 New Forest District Council - comments awaited.

7.2 Marchwood Parish Council - comments awaited.

7.3 Environment Agency - raises no objection.

7.4 Environmental Health Officer, New Forest District Council, comments that with regard to contamination has agreed a programme of remediation and monitoring which is ongoing. Requires risk assessment to be submitted for any ground invasive works.

7.5 Highway Authority raises no objection as these amendments concern internal aspects and are not envisaged to increase traffic levels or have any highway implications.

7.6 Natural England - comments awaited.

7.7 Southern Water raises no objection subject to condition concerning details of surface water disposal and foul sewerage disposal.

7.8 The local Member, Councillor Harrison, objects to the proposals. He states:

"Since the original application was approved (despite my objection) it has become crystal clear that the road structure in Marchwood and Totton is grossly inadequate in scale and quality to cope with existing levels of HGV traffic, which have never been so high in this area of the county.

The problem is considered so serious that County officers, employed by the Highways Department, have agreed to undertake a series of measures aimed at monitoring the scale of the problem and identifying every possible means of mitigating problems, including road noise (especially at night), vibration, congestion and serious road safety issues.

I am opposing every application that will lead to even more HGV movements in the division I represent. Since the original application was granted there have been further licenses granted to operators using Marchwood Industrial Estate, a great deal of HGV movements relating to construction of the Marchwood Power Station, the identification of a further mineral extraction site at Forest Lodge Farm and receipt of an application for a further major recycling facility at Hounsdown. It's very important that Hampshire County Council understands the current situation and the impact that these additional applications, including this one, will have."

8. Representations

8.1 One representation received raising no objection on basis it will not affect the public's use of the HWRC.

9. Commentary

9.1 The redevelopment of the former Marchwood Incinerator site already has planning permission, and that includes a temporary waste transfer station whilst the incinerator building is demolished and the new permanent waste transfer station is built and becomes operational. These proposals are for a change to provide a `Dutch barn' type structure to provide better enclosure and revise the layout of the bays; there are no other proposed changes to the redevelopment proposals as part of this application. Consequently the issues are solely those related to the new temporary structure.

9.2 Regarding Councillor Harrison's objection to the application, it is noted his concerns are related to HGV traffic. However this application is for changes to the temporary transfer station only and would not in themselves affect the HGV traffic associated with the redevelopment of the site.

9.3 In conclusion, the proposals will not have an adverse visual impact and there are environmental benefits by providing better containment for the waste. This proposal will result in no additional impacts, including traffic, over and above those already considered when granting planning consent for the redevelopment last year.

1776/PDC

APPENDIX 1

Conditions

Commencement

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

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

(2) The new temporary waste transfer facility shall cease operation within 12 months following the date of commencement of the redevelopment of the site or the commissioning of the new waste transfer station whichever is the sooner, unless otherwise ageed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: The temporary facility is not suitable for permanent retention.

Lighting

(3) Prior to the plant being commissioned a lighting scheme shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority in writing. The scheme shall include details of all outside lighting, including floodlighting, safety lighting and illumination from within the plant, and measures to prevent light pollution.

Reason: In the interests of visual highway safety.

Protection of Water Environment

(4) Prior to commencement of the redevelopment a scheme to deal with the risks associated with potential contamination of the site shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The scheme shall include:

(i) a desk study identifying all previous uses, potential contaminants associated with those uses, a conceptual model of the site indicating sources, pathways and receptors, and potential risks arising from contamination;

(ii) a site investigation based on the desk study;

(iii) details of any remediation measures required and how they are to be undertaken; and

(iv) report confirming any remediation measures have been undertaken and measures for monitoring.

Reason: To ensure the site and the proposed use are assessed in order ensure that it does not present a risk of pollution to controlled waters.

(5) If contamination not previously identified is found to be present at the site development shall cease until an addendum to the Method Statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Waste Planning Authority. The requirements of the addendum to the Method Statement shall be implemented as approved.

Reason: To ensure no pollution to controlled waters.

(6) There shall be no infiltration of surface water drainage into the ground unless agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure no pollution to controlled waters.

(7) There shall be no piling or foundation designs using penetrative methods unless previously agreed in writing by the Waste Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure no pollution of controlled waters.

(8) Prior to redevelopment commencing measures to protect the public sewers shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The measures shall be implemented as approved,

Reason: In order to protect the public sewer.

Hours of Working

(9) 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:

Waste transfer facility:

0700-1800 Monday to Sunday including public holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Household Waste Recycling Centre:

0800-1900 Monday to Sunday (1 April to 31 Sepember)

0800-1600 Monday to Sunday (1 October to 31 March)

Site closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

Noise, Dust and Odour

(10) Prior to redevelopment commencing an Environmental Management Scheme for the control of noise, dust and odour at the site shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing. The Scheme shall be implemented as approved for the duration of the site's operation.

Reason: In the interests of local amenity.

APPENDIX 2

Annexe to Reasons for Conditions

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

(General Procedure) Order 1995 - as amended)

__________________________________________________________________

Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy DPD 2007

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.