Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding a planning application for Variation of Conditions 19 and 20 of planning permission 16/10450 to allow screening operations to take place at Forest Lodge Home Farm, Fawley Road, Hythe.

Councillor McEvoy was a deputation for this item and did not sit as a voting Member on the Committee

The Committee considered a report from the Head of Strategic Planning (item 6 in the minute book) regarding an application to vary conditions at Forest Lodge Farm in Hythe.

The Chairman introduced the item and confirmed that a site visit had taken place and that some members had attended previous visits to the site. The application was summarised, and it was confirmed that amendments to Conditions had been sought so a material screener could be used on site. Location and phasing plans of the proposed restoration were shown, along with photos of the site and temporary screeners in operation.

The Committee received two deputations on this item. Councillor Peter Armstrong from New Forest District Council and County Councillor Alexis McEvoy both spoke against the application. Cllr Armstrong told committee the great extent of local opposition to the application and several comments from local residents were read out to Committee. There were particular concerns regarding health and wellbeing in relation to noise and dust and it was felt that the owners were unneighbourly and inconsiderate of residents. Councillor McEvoy echoed some of the sentiments of Councillor Armstrong and shared concerns over whether the damping process to minimise dust had been tested. Councillor McEvoy chaired the liaison group and felt that it helped address some issues, but agreed that communication from the applicant could be better. Whilst the site appeared to be remote and in countryside, Councillor McEvoy reminded Committee that it was in fact near a densely populated residential area.

During questions of the deputations, the following points were clarified:

• The Environmental Health Officer at New Forest District Council had not objected as had no direct involvement with the application.
• Objections had been made regarding noise at the liaison meetings, but none had been investigated further.
• There had been no evidence of direct damage to the health of residents, but some residents did have conditions that could be exacerbated by noise and/or dust.
• Damping down was an enforcement issue, and one that could be investigated as the summer approached.

During questions of the officers, the following points were clarified:

• Screening was currently done off site, and the movements incorporated as part of the allowance within the conditions.
• It was not known what type of screener would be installed should the application be approved.
• There had been no approval or permission given for the screener currently on site.
• There would be a lower volume of material going to and from the site should a screener be permitted.
• Noise assessments had found that the noise levels would not breach the exiting permitted limits
• Hampshire County Council were currently behind the target established in the Minerals & Waste plan for soft sand
• Whilst some complaints had been received, these had all been since the application had been made, rather than being historical  enforcement issues.

During debate, Members commented that at the Site Visit, the noise of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106