Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Michael Ford and Keith House. Cllr Wayne Irish deputised for Cllr House.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore, Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting on 14 December 2022 were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Chairman confirmed that there were deputations for items number 6 and 7, which would be called at the relevant point in the agenda.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

There were no formal announcements.

To consider a report from the Assistant Director of Waste & Environmental Services regarding a variation of condition 7 (volume of waste) and 13 (HGV Movements) of Planning Permission 19/00200/HCS at North Winchester Farm, Stoke Charity Road, Kings Worthy SO21 2RP.

Variation of condition 7 (volume of waste) and 13 (HGV Movements) of Planning Permission 19/00200/HCS at North Winchester Farm, Stoke Charity Road, Kings Worthy SO212RP (No. 21/00832/HCS)

(Site Ref: WR240).

The Development Planning Manager introduced the report and explained that the focus for the Committee regarding the application was the proposed variations to conditions 7 and 13 and that the site already had planning permission for waste uses. She reported that the current site had been operating in an acceptable way, in the view of officers, and that the County Council had received no formal complaints regarding the operation of the site.

The Development Planning Manager reminded Members that they had visited the site in July 2022. She explained that there had been extensive discussions between the various parties to come to the recommendation being brought to the Committee.

The Committee heard that the Environmental Health Officer’s (EHO) advice at this point in time, was that it has not been demonstrated that the proposed increase in Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) movements would not have an unacceptable impact on residential and neighbouring amenity by reason of Heavy Goods Vehicle-related noise and disturbance.

The Development Planning Manager referred to the Update Report which had been published on 10 January 2023 and an email that had been circulated to the Committee Members in respect to information received from the applicant since publication of the report, explaining that this had not resulted in any change in the position of the EHO.

She went on to say that a great deal of work had been undertaken on highways matters and following the removal of the objection of the Highways Authority at the end of the last month, highways impacts were considered to be acceptable.

The Project Manager (Minerals and Waste) gave a presentation which included:

·         A location plan

·         A site plan including the access road and nearest properties

·         Aerial views

·         Photos.

The Project Manager explained that the application was seeking:

·        A variance to Condition 7 from no more than 30k tonnes imported to and exported from the site per annum to 60k, with no change in working hours; and

·         A variance to Condition 13 from the current Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) movements of 40 per day (20 in and 20 out) to 80 (40 in and 40 out) and 50 on Saturdays only, with no change to hours of HGV movements.

The key issues, due to the proposed increase in the number of HGV’s to and from the site were:

·         Impacts to highways and pedestrian safety and highways capacity.

·         Impacts to the countryside and public amenity.

·         Air pollution.

·         Noise impacts.

He further explained that this application for the variances was due to demand and that there would be no change to the permitted hours of use and HGV movements.

The Project Manager showed slides that listed the objections and representations received and the key issues of highway safety and amenity impacts of HGVs, air quality impacts (dust), noise impacts acceptability within a countryside setting, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

To consider a report from the Assistant Director of Waste & Environmental Services regarding a proposed extension to Nursling Recycling Centre, variations to existing site layout, erection of a new workshop building and the upgrade of parking arrangements at the adjacent paintball centre.

Proposed extension to Nursling Recycling Centre, variations to existing site layout, erection of a new workshop building and the upgrade of parking arrangements at the adjacent paintball centre. 0AD (Application No. 22/00174/CMAS Ref: TV055).

Cllr Mark Cooper declared that he had a non-prejudicial personal interest in the matter by virtue of his membership of the Romsey Parish Council.

The Principal Development Management Officer introduced the report and referred to an email which Cllr Adams-King had sent to Members of the Committee, where he had detailed points he would like the Committee to consider, including a booking system to control the number of lorry movements to and from the site and an Operational Traffic Management Plan. He confirmed that road improvements would be taken care of as part of the legal requirements.

The Principal Development Management Officer explained that the proposal was for an extension to the existing site and that it would allow material to be processed near to the market. The proposal included the following:

·       The allowed amount of waste, materials and aggregate imported to the site be increased from 75,000 to 125,000 tonnes per annum.

·       The allowed number of total vehicle movements to and from the site be increased from 240 to 350 vehicles and uplift the restriction of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from 160 to 200.

He explained that the site was situated near to the River Test, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

He illustrated the traffic route into the site, the proximity of the railway line, the M27 and the public right of way.

The Committee was shown aerial photos and it was explained that the existing site sits on sand and gravel in a countryside location on the periphery of the Southampton Urban area.

Proposed layout plans and photos were shown illustrating the site and extension area including:

·         The paintball site.

·         The access (with passing places) and service roads.

·         The HGV parking relocation.

·         The Landscape and Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Plan.

·         Location of the new workshop.

·         The Picking Station.

·         Existing parking area.

·         The site entrance.

·         Station Road from the north (showing traffic calming in place).

The Principal Development Management Officer explained that the legal agreement covered an extra emphasis on road safety signage, but that there was no evidence of speeding, and that the Operator has examined data from their tracked vehicles, although that does not extend to customer vehicles. The Operator is willing to address issues with the residents and there is a Liaison Panel.

He explained the consultations as contained in the report and confirmed that the application would be subject to an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency.

There had been 16 representations.

The key issues were:

·         Highways safety and amenity impacts of HGVs.

·         Air quality impacts.

·         Noise.

·         Acceptability within a countryside setting.

·         Ecological/habitat impacts.

The Principal Development Management Officer explained a change to Condition 8, which included a priority route for cyclists with provision for exit signage.

The Committee heard deputations from residents Ken Wilson, Penelope  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

A report from the Assistant Director – Legal Services and Monitoring Officer to recommend amendments to the Local Protocol on Planning, Rights of Way, Commons and Village Green Registration for Members of Regulatory Committee, Substitute Members of Regulatory Committee and Officers.

The Project Legal Advisor summarised the report and explained that the purpose was to amend references in the Local Protocol to Chief Officer posts and revise delegation in respect of Section 106 agreements and other associated matters as the position of the Monitoring Officer had changed to the Assistant Director of Legal Services, as the previous Monitoring Officer was retiring. 

Resolved

That Regulatory Committee agree to amendment of the Local Protocol on Planning, Rights of Way, Commons and Village Green Registration for Members of Regulatory Committee, Substitute Members of Regulatory Committee and Officers (Local Protocol) be amended to replace all references to the ‘Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services’ and the ‘Director of Economy, Transport and Environment’ with the ‘Director of Universal Services’, and that all existing delegations in the Protocol be ratified in favour of the Director of Universal Services.  

That authority be given to the Assistant Director - Legal Services and Monitoring Officer to settle the terms of and enter into agreements pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (Planning Act), and other associated matters relating to the Planning Act, on behalf of the County Council. 

Voting

For: 15 unanimous