Minutes:
The report before Members related to an application to alter a previously agreed planning application.
The proposed development was the same as that previously approved as part of planning permission P0206.13, except to the extent that less material would be dredged from the bottom of the lake, and more material (up to 3000 tonnes more than previously approved) would need to be imported in order to create the proposed safety ledges and island. The submitted information stated that 950 tonnes had been imported so far, with the activities having ceased whilst further planning approval was sought.
Members noted that the application had been called in by Councillor Linda Van den Hende for the following reasons: The proposal was considered to be inappropriate in terms of Green Belt policy, highway impact, and neighbouring amenity.
In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant.
The objector commented that lorry movements on to the site, importing material, had increased and that the previously agreed level of importation had been excessively exceeded. The objector also commented that there were concerns that the importation of rubbish had taken place as rubbish had begun to float on the surface of the lake.
In response the applicant’s agent commented that dredging the bottom of the lake would not provide enough material to construct the safety ledges and the island. Importation of the extra material would not change the outcome of works and the applicant intention was to provide details of the waste transfer to the Council.
With its agreement Councillor Linda Van den Hende addressed the Committee.
Councillor Van den Hende commented that there had been alterations to the previously agreed permission and there was now a loss of amenity to the occupiers of Bramble Farm and a possible risk of flooding to the adjacent land.
During a brief debate Members discussed the possibility of flooding and officers confirmed that an overflow was in place to deal with such issues. Members also discussed the possible need to monitor lorry movements and imported materials and were advised by officers that the Environment Agency would monitor importation of materials to the site.
It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as set out in the report and to include the following amendments to the conditions:
Condition 1: Delete.
Condition 8 & 9: Amend conditions to read as follow:
Condition 8: No more than 170 HGV deliveries associated with the development shall take place in total. No more than 10 HGV deliveries associated with the development shall take place per day in accordance with the scheme of vehicle monitoring received on 8 September 2014. Up to date information about the total numbers of HGVs accessing the site shall be kept on record at the site at all times, and shall be made available to the local planning authority in writing within 7 days of a request being made.
Reason: In the interests of highway safety and residential amenity.
Condition 9: Imported soils shall be tested for chemical contamination in accordance with a scheme of soil testing that shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. The development shall thereafter be undertaken in accordance with the approved scheme.
Reason: To ensure that the occupants of the development are not subject to any risks from soil contamination in accordance with Development Control Policies Development Plan Document Policy DC53.
The vote for the resolution to grant planning permission was carried by 5 votes to 4 with 2 abstentions.
Councillors Misir, Kelly, Smith, Thompson and Westwood voted for the resolution to grant planning permission.
Councillors Dodin, Donald, Hawthorn and Nunn voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.
Councillors Martin and Williamson abstained from voting.