Agenda and minutes

Mr G C Yarranton substituted for Mr S J M Clee.

Apologies were received from Mr J Baker, Mr M H Broomfield, Mr S J M Clee and Mr A C Roberts.

Mr P Denham declared an interest in Agenda item 7 as a member of Worcester City Council's Planning Committee but was not present at that Committee's consideration of the item.

The Council has put in place arrangements which usually allow one speaker each on behalf of objectors, the applicant and supporters of applications to address the Committee.  Speakers are chosen from those who have made written representations and expressed a desire to speak at the time an application is advertised.  Where there are speakers, presentations are made as part of the consideration of each application.

Those presentations made are recorded at the Minute to which they relate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2014. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the variation of planning conditions 2 and 4 and removal of planning condition 3 on planning permission reference number: 13/000058/CM so as to allow the increase in throughput of material from 6,000 tonnes per annum to 9,000 tonnes per annum; the sale of bulk loads of compost to local farmers and other trade/bulk users and for the compost to be used on the applicants land and also on land elsewhere at Pendock Environmental, Eldersfield, Worcestershire.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to the waste hierarchy, the location of the development, residential amenity, traffic and highways safety, and other matters.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that in principle open windrow composting facilities were supported by PPS10 and the Waste Core Strategy in terms of moving waste up the waste hierarchy diverting it from landfill. Therefore, the County Planning Authority in principle welcomed the expansion of open windrow composting facilities.  The location for the composting facility was acceptable in accordance with Policy WCS 3 and WCS 6 of the Worcestershire Based on the comments received from the pollution control bodies; Worcestershire Regulatory Services and the Environment Agency, the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that the proposals would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenity or the amenity of the surrounding area in accordance with Policy WCS 14 of the Waste Core Strategy Waste Core Strategy.

The proposals had been assessed by the County Highways Officer, and based on their comments, the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on highway safety or the local highway infrastructure in accordance with Policy WCS 8 of the Waste Core Strategy.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that the variation of conditions 2 and 4 and removal of planning condition 3 on planning permission reference number: 13/000058/CM so as to allow to the increase in throughput of material from 6,000 tonnes per annum to 9,000 tonnes per annum; the sale of bulk loads of compost to local farmers and other trade/bulk users and for the compost to be used on the applicants land and also on land elsewhere was acceptable.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policy WCS 1; Policy WCS 3; Policy WCS6; Policy WCS 8; Policy WCS 9; Policy WCS 10; Policy WCS 11; Policy WCS 12; Policy WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Document and Policies DS1, DS3, EP7 and QL21 of the Malvern Hills District Local Plan, it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 881.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for a part retrospective proposal to vary the approved planning permission restoration levels at Chadwich Lane Quarry, Madeley Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to the Green Belt, the character and appearance of the local area, landscape and residential amenity, the water environment, ecology, biodiversity and the geological Site of Special Scientific Interest, traffic, highway safety and public right of way, and other matters- monitoring and enforcement.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that that in terms of the NPPF the development was appropriate development within the Green Belt, but notwithstanding this, it was considered that very special circumstances exist to justify the proposal within this Green Belt location; and that the development is compliant with the aims of Green Belt policy in terms of maintaining the openness and would not conflict with the purposes of including land in Green Belt, in accordance with the NPPF, Policy WCS 13 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Policies DS1, DS2 and DS13 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning could see no benefit from a landscape point of view in requiring the over-tipped material to be removed off site, and considered that the proposal did not have a detrimental impact upon landscape character or residential amenity. The proposed final landform was considered to be acceptable in landscape terms.

Based on the advice of North Worcestershire Water Management, the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that the proposed drainage scheme was acceptable in principle. Consequently, it was considered that the proposal would have no adverse effects on the water environment and would accord with Policy WCS 10 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

Based on the advice of the County Ecologist, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Natural England, it was considered that the proposal would not have any adverse impacts on ecology and biodiversity at the site or on the surrounding area, including the geological SSSI

Based on the advice of the County Highways Officer and County Footpath Officer, the Head of Economic Development and Planning was satisfied that the proposal would not have any adverse impact upon traffic, highway safety or Public Rights of Ways, in accordance with Policy WCS 8 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 2, WCS 5, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 10, WCS 11, WCS 12, WCS 13 and WCS 14 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy, and Saved Policies DS1, DS2, DS13, C1, C4, C5, C9, TR1, RAT12, ES4, ES14, ES14A and ES16 of the Bromsgrove District Local Plan, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 882.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and County Planning General Regulations 1992 for planning permission for the alteration and extension to the existing east car park to provide 195 spaces, including new lighting and CCTV cameras at Worcestershire County Council Offices, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester.

The report set out the background of the proposal, the proposal itself, the relevant planning policy and details of the site consultations and representations.

The report set out the Head of Economic Development and Planning comments in relation to traffic and highway safety, drainage, residential amenity, the green network and ecology and biodiversity.

The Head of Economic Development and Planning concluded that in principle the proposed extension to County Hall car park was acceptable in accordance with Policy TR12 of the City of Worcester Local Plan. Furthermore, it was considered that the proposed development was acceptable on highways grounds.

The County Council Transport Policy and Strategic Development Officer had stated that there was zero demand for the two existing vehicle electric charging points on site, therefore, the Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that it would be unreasonable to require the applicant to provide more electric vehicle charging points. Furthermore, there were no Planning Policies to justify this recommendation from Worcestershire Regulatory Services. However, the Head of Economic Development and Planning was satisfied that the applicant would investigate the implementation of ducting should a demand ever materialise for electrical charging vehicle points.

Subject to the imposition of a pre-commencement condition requiring the submission and approval of further drainage details, it was considered that surface water can be suitably managed and that the proposal would not increase the risk of flooding at the site. The Head of Economic Development and Planning considered that subject to planning conditions the proposal would not have an adverse impact on residential amenity.

Subject to the imposition of a condition requiring the submission of a comprehensive landscaping scheme, it was considered that this would provide adequate compensation for the loss of vegetation and green space to comply with Policy NE9 of the Local Plan in terms of the Green Network. It was considered that the proposed development would not have an adverse impact on ecology and biodiversity at the site and would provide enhancement opportunities in accordance with the NPPF.

On balance, taking into account the comments received from statutory consultees; members of the public and the provisions of the development plan in particular Policies NE5, NE7, NE9, BE1 and TR12 of the City of Worcester Local Plan; it was considered that the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests intended to be protected by these policies or highway safety.

The representative of the Head of Economic Development and Planning commented that members had visited the site and observed the location of proposed car park A, B, C and D. He also proposed the removal of proposed conditions f) and h) and replacement with conditions in relation to surface water drainage,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 883.