Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding Variation of condition 12 (hours of operations and staff working hours) of appeal decision reference APP/Q1770/A/11/2161324 (Planning Application Reference: 10/02712/CMA) (retrospective) at Salvidge Farm, Bunny Lane, Timsbury.

Variation of condition 12 (hours of operations and staff working hours) of appeal decision reference APP/Q1770/A/11/2161324 (Planning Application Reference: 10/02712/CMA) (retrospective) at Salvidge Farm, Bunny Lane, Timsbury SO51 0PG (No. 21/00298/CMAS) (Site Ref: TV066)

The Committee received a report from the Head of Strategic Planning (item 6 in the minute book) regarding a variation to the hours of operation and working at Salvidge Farm in Timsbury.

Members were given a brief history of the site, along with its purpose and why it was important, which was supported with a location plan and aerial photographs. Different areas of the site were highlighted along with their purpose.

The current condition was shown alongside the proposed amendment to make it clear what was being requested and the key issues were summarised as noted in the report.

It was noted that an update report had been circulated to Committee, which included a paragraph relating to Climate Change considerations and also representations received on the application.

The Committee received two deputations on this item. Councillor Bob David spoke on behalf of Michelmersh and Timsbury Parish Council against the application. Whilst accepting the site played an important role, it was felt that there was not suitable justification in extending the operational hours and there was concern in the local community. John Palmer also addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant and enforced that the changes proposed were only to accommodate vehicular access and did not apply to the use of machinery and did not change he number of vehicles entering or leaving the site. The extra hours would enable the vehicles to avoid rush-hour traffic and had been approved by the Environmental Health Officer.

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

·         There had been no breaches of conditions reported until 2021, and the one breach had been done by mistake;

·         The A3057 could be a busy road dependent on the time of day;

·         Waste from returning vehicles was only emptied and sorted during fully operational hours the following day

·         Conditions were already in place to protect residents from noise

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

·         The Environmental Health Officer had been consulted on the changes to the condition and the circumstances were based on a ‘worst case’ scenario. In reality the changes would not be applicable every day.

·         The application had been brought forward separately to one being considered for the same site in July 2021 due to it already being delayed from earlier in the year and it being ready to go to Committee.

In debate, Members discussed how significant the changes were and the possible effects to residents should the hours be extended. Some Members felt that 6:30 was too early for vehicles to be permitted to travel and enter the site whereas others did not feel it would make much difference due to the location of the site and lack of complaints.

It was proposed by Councillor Mark Cooper and seconded by Councillor Stephen Philpott that the starting time be changed to 7:00 instead of 6:30am and this was put to the vote:

Favour: 9
Against: 7

This resulted in the current Condition 12 (new Condition 11) being as follows:

“With the exception of a maximum of five (5 No.) skip lorries, two (2 No.) RoRo lorries and one (1 No.) articulated lorry (all HCVs) entering and leaving the site between 07:00 - 07:30 hrs Monday to Friday only, no heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) shall enter or leave the site outside the following times: 07:30 - 19:00 hrs Monday to Friday and 07:00 - 14:00 hrs Saturday, and not at any time on Sundays, recognised Public or Bank Holidays.

No plant, equipment or machinery involved in the approved waste management operations shall be operated on the site outside the following times: 07:30 - 17:30 hrs Monday to Friday and 07:30 - 12:30 hrs Saturday, and not at any time on Sundays, recognised Public or Bank Holidays.”

It was noted that a liaison panel would work well for the site and could be something for the applicant to consider going forward.

It was proposed by Councillor Rod Cooper and seconded by Councillor Gary Hughes that the application be deferred pending a site visit, but this was lost on a vote.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the update report and the conditions listed in Appendix A, including the change from a 6:30 to 7:00 start time Monday to Friday (new Condition 11) as voted on at Committee.

Vote:
Favour: 15
Against: 1