Agenda and minutes

The Members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

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

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2015 (previously circulated).

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

None.

An apology was received from Mr A Amos.

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 25 August 2015. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for a proposed aggregates material recycling facility, workshop building and ecological restoration and enhancement areas at Church Farm Quarry, Grimley, 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 the waste hierarchy, landscape character and appearance of the local area, residential amenities (noise and dust impacts),the water environment, ecology and biodiversity, traffic, highway safety and impact upon the Public Rights of Way, and other matters – economic impact, historic environment, planning consultation, and environmental impact assessment.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the application site was located on the site of an existing minerals processing plant area, which was due to be removed and the land restored following the cessation of mineral workings.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy considered that as the proposed aggregates material recycling facility would involve recycling and reusing construction and demolition wastes that it would comply with the objectives of the waste hierarchy. Furthermore, it was considered that the proposal would make a significant contribution to conserving primary aggregates, through the substitution of recycled aggregates and recycled soils into the market, in accordance with paragraph 143 of the NPPF relating to facilitating the sustainable use of minerals. However, the Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy was not satisfied that there would be a clear benefit for the construction of an earth bund at this location, concluding that the construction of this feature would appear to be a waste disposal operation, contrary to Policy WCS 5 of the Waste Core Strategy.

It was noted that the NPPF affords significant weight to economic growth. By securing existing jobs and creating new opportunities, the proposal would support communities and thereby provided a social benefit. Furthermore, by providing jobs and a service to other businesses, it would contribute to the local economy. In so far as it provided these social and economic benefits, it was considered that the proposal would accord with the aims of the NPPF.

The application site was situated within a predominantly rural setting interspersed by small villages and settlements. The proposed development of the 6.5 hectare site would significantly encroach into the open countryside, resulting in the loss of greenfield land. The area of hardstanding would be extensive measuring approximately 2.5 hectares in area. The proposed new building would measure some 540 square metres in area. The applicant also proposed new plant and equipment and the proposed retention of further buildings and structures. An earth bund was also proposed measuring approximately 178 metres long by 2.5 metres wide by 7 metres high. It was considered that this in itself would be an alien feature and would appear incongruous within the local landscape.

Policy WCS 6 of the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy directed waste management development to land with compatible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 921.