Agenda item

To consider a report from the Assistant Director of Minerals, Waste and Environment regarding the development of a Material Recycling Facility and Associated Infrastructure at Land off Chickenhall Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire (No. CS/22/92463)  (EA110)

Cllr Hugh Lumby joined the meeting and Cllr Alexis McEvoy left the meeting.

 

The development of a Material Recycling Facility and Associated Infrastructure at Land off Chickenhall Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

(No. CS/22/92463) (EA110)

 

Declarations of Interests

 

Cllr Parker-Jones declared that as the application was in a neighbouring ward to her own, she had been part of the consultation process, but that she would be basing her decision on what she heard today.

 

Cllr Broomfield declared that although he had no pecuniary interest in the item, his division is a neighbouring one to where the application was located, and that he would vote as he saw fit on the basis of the application.

 

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director of Minerals, Waste and Environment regarding the development of a Material Recycling Facility (MRF) and Associated Infrastructure at Land off Chickenhall Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

 

The officer introduced the report and explained that the development was to be a new modernised facility to replace those at Alton and Portsmouth.

 

The Committee was shown location maps which illustrated the site and its proposed access from Bishopstoke Lane. The location of the railway lane and the M27 and M3 were shown as well as an aerial view which showed a sewerage treatment plant, the airport and nature conservation designations.

 

Other plans were shown including a proposed ground floor plan and the footprint of the MRF building.

 

The officer explained that the facility would allow Hampshire Waste Services to modernise and meet legal requirements and guidance in relation to waste management, while reducing waste and increasing recycling.

 

The indicative design picture showed the intention for steel cladding and a roof light which would be secured via a condition required by National Air Traffic Services, due to the proximity to the airport.

 

The officer explained the context of the extant planning consent at the site and its relationship with the proposal and how the proposal met Policies 25, 26 and 27 of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan.

 

The officer reported that the Highways Authority had scrutinised the application and found it acceptable. Officers noted that air quality matters were covered by the extant consent. The recommendation was also subject to a section 106 agreement in respect of financial contributions for the Southern Damselfly Project, acoustic fencing, management of biodiversity net gain and a contribution towards monitoring of the Air Quality Management Area.

 

A deputation was received from Philip Rodin, Sam Horne and Paul Laughlin speaking on behalf of the applicant.

 

It was explained that:

 

·         The Council is lagging behind with its recycling levels at approximately 35%.

 

·         The development would allow kerbside recycling to be increased and of better quality, particularly where it was expected that a wider range of materials would be required to be recycled in the future.

 

·         The work had identified that carbon emissions could be reduced and the level of recycling increased by 13%, but this was predicated on new infrastructure.

 

In answer to Members’ questions, the Committee heard that:

 

·         Other alternatives were considered, including the redevelopment of one or both of the current sites, but that this would mean closing one or both during the development and that the waste would have to go outside of Hampshire.

 

·         The site would have the capacity to process approximately 107k tonnes per annum, up to 135K tonnes depending on the innovations.

 

·         Solar panels would not be able to be fitted to the roof currently, due to its proximity to the runway at Southampton Airport and potential glare/design limitations. This, on further discussion was explained also to be connected to radio waves and plane navigation.

 

·         There was a proposed two-stage access to facility.

 

·         Rail access was looked at when the extant proposal was considered in 2014, but it would need network and siding capacity that Network Rail will not allow, making this option inviable. This position has not changed.

 

·         There were no extra heavy goods vehicle movements than with the previous extant consent.

 

·         There would be less than a one percent change in air quality levels. Work was being done with contractors on alternative possible fuels as soon as feasible to do so.

 

·         The design life of the building is 25 to 30 years, if not more.

 

·         There would be a capacity to take a wider variety of materials and retrofitting will be possible to accommodate new legislation on packaging.

 

Members asked about the extant permission and whether any new data relating to possible health impacts was reflected and officers explained that new data had been published in September 2022 and the Environmental Health Officer had withdrawn his objection.

 

Officers explained that the route of the Chickenhall Link Road had not been agreed and was only indicative, although concerns were recognised.

 

Members debated the report, in particular:

 

·         Lack of benefit to the residents of Eastleigh.

 

·         The road congestion already in Eastleigh and the increase in Bishopstoke, Horton Heath and Fair Oak.

 

·         That Eastleigh Borough Council had said the proposed site was key to them meeting their recycling target.

 

·         Concerns about levels of pollution.

 

The officer reported that the matter was one of balance and that conditions and legal agreements can address issues such as air quality, ecology, highways issues and traffic. She explained that the highways movements will not be 24 hours a day.

 

She requested delegated authority to add additional informatives on the removal of the SAM beacon, alternative fuels and the further consideration of the link road.

 

She also indicated that she could seek authority to strengthen any of the conditions on air quality if these were requested by the Environmental Health Officer.

 

RESOLVED

 

Planning permission was GRANTED subject to the conditions listed in

Appendix A, the Update Report (agenda item 9), proposed additional informatives and the completion of a legal agreement in relation to the following areas:

 

a) A Biodiversity Net Gain Plan and Management Plan for long term

management of on and off-site mitigation sites;

b) a contribution of £50,000 (index linked) towards the enhancement /

monitoring of the Southern Damselfly in the River Itchen; and

c) a contribution towards the recurring annual cost of monitoring the AQMAs;

d) delivery of acoustic fencing near Chicken Hall Cottages.

 

Voting

 

Favour: 9

Against: 4