Agenda and minutes

The Members had before them:

A.    The Agenda papers (previously circulated);

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

C.   The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2021 (previously circulated).

An apology was received from Cllr Jack Satterthwaite.

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 presentations made are recorded at the minute to which they relate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2021. (previously circulated)

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a County Matter planning application for proposed sand and gravel quarry with progressive restoration using site derived and imported inert material to agricultural parkland, public access and nature enhancement, on land at Lea Castle Farm, Wolverley Road, Broadwaters, Kidderminster, 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 Planning and Transport Planning’s comments in relation to the Worcestershire's landbank of sand and gravel reserves, Sieve test / methodology and Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land, Alternatives, Green Belt, Traffic, highway safety and impact upon public rights of way, Residential amenity (including noise, odour, dust, air quality, vibration, lighting and health impacts), Landscape character and appearance of the local area, Historic Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity and Geodiversity, Water Environment, Restoration and Aftercare of the Site, Economic Impact, Climate Change, Cumulative Effects, Prematurity, and Other Matters - Schools, Businesses, Tourism, Leisure and Recreation, Crime and safety, Overhead power lines, Adequacy of the Environmental Statement and EIA team and expertise, Monitoring and enforcement, Consultation, Human Rights Act 1998, Obligations under the Equality Act 2010, and Other points.

The Head of Planning and Transport Planningconcluded that:

Worcestershire's landbank of sand and gravel reserves

Paragraph 213 of the NPPF stated "minerals planning authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates by…maintaining landbanks of at least 7 years for sand and gravel…whilst ensuring that the capacity of operations to supply a wide range of materials is not compromised". As required by the NPPF the County Council had produced a Local Aggregate Assessments (LAA), to assess the demand for and supply of aggregates in Worcestershire.

The LAA (published June 2020) covered the period up to 31 December 2017, and in accordance with the NPPF (paragraph 213) calculated annual provision requirements on a rolling average of 10 years' sale data in Worcestershire and other relevant local information. In 2017, sales of sand and gravel in Worcestershire were 0.455 million tonnes. The 10-year average of sales from 2008 to 2017 including combined data with Herefordshire Council for 2012 and 2013 was 0.572 million tonnes. On 31 December 2017, the total permitted sand and gravel reserves for Worcestershire was about 3.465 million tonnes, which was equivalent to a landbank of approximately 6.06 years. Assuming annual sales figures of 0.572 million tonnes, based on the rolling 10 years' average continued, then the landbank of permitted reserves at 31 December 2020 would have been approximately 1.749 million tonnes of sand and gravel, equating to about 3.06 years. Consequently, on 31 December 2020 the County Council did not have sufficient reserves of sand and gravel available with planning permissions to meet its annual provision requirements based on sales in accordance with national planning policy and guidance.

Since 31 December 2020, the MPA granted planning permission on 25 March 2021 (MPA Ref: 18/000036/CM, Minute No. 1069 refers) for a proposed sand  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1096.

The Committee considered an application under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended) for a proposed replacement bridge to provide upgraded shared use pedestrian and cycle bridge access over the A38 corridor with associated active travel improvements on land between Fordhouse Road west of the A38 and Carnforth Road east of the A38, 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 Development Management Team Manager’s comments in relation to Traffic, Highway Safety and Public Rights of Way, Residential Amenity and Visual Impacts, Ecology and Biodiversity, Water Environment and Flood Risk, Historic Environment, Other Matters – Crime and Safety, Human Rights Act 1998, and Obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

The Development Management Team Manager concluded that proposed Scheme 5 formed part of the Bromsgrove town wide improvement scheme known as the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP), which aimed to improve connectivity between the west and east sides of the A38 for both pedestrians and cyclists. The primary driver being to improve connectivity for Non- Motorised Users (NMUs) travelling across the A38. The proposed bridge link was a key element of the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP).

The proposal included the replacement of a non-compliant footbridge connecting Fordhouse Road to Carnforth Road, and was to include higher parapets, approach ramps, stairs and associated highway improvements all in accordance with the requirements of CD 353 of DRMB and LTN 1/20.

The scale and massing of the replacement cycle / footbridge was similar to that of the existing bridge in terms of height and location and would not be an unacceptable or overbearing feature that would detract from residential amenity. The scheme would encourage sustainable and active travel, improving transport options for local residents and encouraging further local leisure trips, facilitating a step change in the levels of cycling and walking and helping to contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

Based on the advice of National Highways, Sustrans, the County Highways Officer, the County Footpath Officer and the Ramblers Association, the Development Management Team Manager was satisfied that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact upon traffic, highway safety or Public Rights of Way, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions regarding conformity with submitted plans, a CEMP, lighting scheme, SuDS scheme, Road Safety Audits Stage 2 and Stage 3, and temporary diversion of footway, in accordance with Sections 8 and 9 of the NPPF and Policy BDP 16 of the Bromsgrove District Plan.

The Development Management Team Manager considered that, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions and based on the advice of the County Landscape Officer, Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, the proposed development would not have an unacceptable adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the local area and would improve connectivity for NMUs travelling across the A38 in accordance with Section 12 of the NPPF,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1097.