Agenda and minutes

The members had before them:

A.    The agenda papers (previously circulated);

B.    A copy of the list of public participants invited to speak (previously circulated); and

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014. (previously circulated) 

A copy of documents A and B will be attached to the signed minutes.

None.

Apologies were received from Mr A Amos and Mr J Baker.

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.

None.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to vary conditions 8, 35 and 36 of planning permission 407669 to incorporate amendments to the internal process plant alongside changes to the operating and maintenance hours at EnviroSort, Woodbury Lane, Norton, 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 Strategic Infrastructure and Economy's comments in relation to residential amenity (noise and litter impacts), traffic and highway safety, and other matters – recording of complaints – lighting – external storage of materials – sustainable development.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that letters of representation had been received objecting to the proposal on noise grounds. The application was accompanied by a Noise Assessment and subsequent Addendum, which concluded that subject to implementation of mitigation measures the proposed amendments would not result in complaints. The Environment Agency had been consulted and had raised no objections. Worcestershire Regulatory Services had also raised no objections, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions. Accordingly the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that the proposed development would have no adverse or detrimental impact upon residential amenity, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

Objections had also been received from local residents regarding the deposit of litter, in particular glass along the public highway. The applicant had confirmed that they would continue to maintain frequent and regular litter clearance of Woodbury Lane and the B4084. The applicant also recently installed a framework of steel 'rumble strips' that HGVs must cross over before exiting the site, the purpose of which were to shake out any glass fragments from the tyres and underbody of the vehicles. In addition, the applicant was in the process of reviewing its loading and handling procedures and exploring options for providing more secure containment of glass. Accordingly, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was satisfied that best practice measures were being implemented in relation to the control of litter.

With regards traffic and highway safety, the proposed amendments would not result in any additional HGV deliveries or collections to/from the site. The County Highways Officer had been consulted and had raised no objections. In view of this, it was considered that the proposals would be acceptable on traffic and highway safety grounds, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, as imposed on the extant planning permission.

Taking into account the provisions of the Development Plan and in particular Policies WCS 1, WCS 2, WCS 3, WCS 6, WCS 8, WCS 9, WCS 10, WCS 11, WCS 12, WCS 14, and WCS 15 of the adopted Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy and Saved Policies GD1, GD2, ENV1, ENV4, ENV5, ENV6, ENV18, ENV22 and SUR3 of the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan, it was considered the proposal would not cause demonstrable harm to the interests  ...  view the full minutes text for item 902.