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 17 May 2016 (previously circulated).

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

None.

None.

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 representations made are recorded at the Minute to which they relate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2016. (previously circulated – pink pages)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for the proposed minerals extraction of about 2.2 million tonnes of sand and gravel by the phased extension to an existing sand and gravel quarry, a new concrete batching plant, consolidation of existing sand and gravel extraction and restoration to agriculture, nature conservation uses and lakes at Clifton Quarry, Clifton Arles Wood, Severn Stoke, 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 alternatives, Worcestershire's landbank of sand and gravel reserves, sieve test/methodology, Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, landscape character and appearance of the local area, residential amenities (noise and dust emissions), the historic environment, the water environment, ecology and biodiversity, traffic, highway safety and impacts upon public rights of way, restoration and aftercare of the site, other matters: Economic impact, oil pipeline, cumulative effects, and the Human Rights Act 1998.

The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy concluded that the proposal sought to extend the existing Clifton Quarry southwards and eastwards beyond the A38 to extract approximately 2.2 million tonnes of sand and gravel over a period of about 11 years. The extracted mineral would be transported via a conveyor to be processed at the existing Clifton Quarry plant site, which was located to the west of the A38, within the Clifton Arles woodland A sequence of seven phases across the two extensions areas were proposed with progressive restoration to agricultural land with wetland areas together with complementary planting and habitat creation.

Paragraph 145 of the NPPF stated "minerals planning authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates by…making provision for the maintenance of landbanks of at least 7 years for sand and gravel". As required by the NPPF the County Council has produced a Local Aggregate Assessments (LAA), to assess the demand for and supply of aggregates in Worcestershire.

Although planning permission had been granted in May 2016 by the Planning and Regulatory Committee for the extraction of about 1.4 million tonnes of sand and gravel at Ryall Court Quarry, near Upton-upon-Severn, the landbank for Worcestershire was likely to be less than approximately 1.72 years. Consequently, the County Council currently did not have sufficient reserves of sand and gravel available with planning permissions to meet its share of the sub-regional apportionment and annual provision requirements based on sales in accordance with the NPPF and PPG. Should this planning application be granted, it would increase the landbank by only approximately 2.53 years.

The adopted Minerals Local Plan allocated Preferred Areas for the working of sand and gravel in the County. Whilst the existing Clifton Quarry processing plant and previous permitted extraction areas (prior to the 2006 planning permission extension) were allocated within the adopted Minerals Local Plan ('Committed Area: Clifton'), the proposed eastern and southern extension areas fell outside of the allocated Committed Area. Therefore,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 947.