Agenda item

To consider a report from the Assistant Director of Waste, Planning and Environment regarding a proposed picking station and fines machinery at Calf Lane, Rye Common, Odiham Hook RG29 1HU (No. 20/02979/HCC)

(Site Ref: HR078).

Proposed picking station and fines machinery at Calf Lane, Rye Common, Odiham Hook RG29 1HU (No. 20/02979/HCC)  (Site Ref: HR078)

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director of Waste, Planning and Environment (Item 6 in the minute book).

The officer confirmed that the existing waste facility benefitted from a Certificate of Lawfulness that allowed for use of the site as an inert and low level hazardous waste recycling and transfer site. Representations had been received, although these covered aspects such as highway impacts (numbers, size and speed of vehicles, dust or mud on roads, wear and tear on roads), noise from general site operations and stockpile locations, which were not material considerations for the application.

A site visit had taken place by the Committee and a location plan was shown along with a site plan and elevation photos.

It was noted that Hart District Council had no issues with the conditions proposed and the Environmental Health Officer also had no objections.

The Committee received four deputations on this item, including the local County Councillor. Simon Cubbage and Heather Morss spoke as local residents against the application and shared their concerns over the lack of communication between the site and local residents and danger and noise of the HGV’S. Toby Comley spoke on behalf of the applicant and spoke of the importance of the site and how as much demolition waste was reused as possible. Measures had been implemented where possible following the feedback of residents, including directional reversing alarms and sound insulation.

Councillor Jonathan Glen thanked officers for their work and also Members for attending the site visit. Whilst supporting recycling across the County, Councillor Glen did share the residents reservations on how the site was managed.

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

·         There was not a current liaison Committee but the applicant was happy to get involved with one.

·         The source of the noise disruptions started in 2019, although this was intermittent and not a regular occurrence.

·         A new housing development had been built nearby and some HGV traffic was from this and not the site.

·         Councillor Jonathan Glen had not received any complaints about the site directly

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

·         A liaison panel was best Chaired by the local Member and Hampshire County Council would also attend and help it to get established.

·         The noise assessment had not shown a need for the machinery to be enclosed.

·         The noise management plan deadline was one month after approval.

·         The speed limit for HGV’s on the local roads was not relevant to the application, but would be taken away for investigation by Highways.

Some Members felt that the noise management plan should be in place before the application was considered by Committee and it was proposed by Councillor McEvoy and seconded by Councillor Roger Price that the item be deferred to a future meeting, but this was lost on a vote.

During debate, Members agreed that there were ongoing issues outside of the application that having a liaison panel would assist with.

RESOLVED

Permission was GRANTED subject to the conditions in Appendix A and the creation of a liaison panel.

Voting

Favour: 11

Against: 3

Abstentions: 1