To consider a report from the Assistant Director for Waste and Environmental Services on a revised application - variation of condition 7 (volume of waste) and 13 (HGV movements) of planning permission 19/00200/HCS at Ecogen Recycling Limited, Stoke Charity Road, Kings Worthy, Hampshire SO21 2RP (No. 23/01338/HCS) WR240
Minutes:
Revised Application -
Variation of condition 7 (volume of waste) and 13 (HGV Movements)
of Planning Permission 19/00200/HCS at Ecogen Recycling Limited,
Stoke Charity Road, Kings Worthy, Hampshire SO21 2RP (No.
23/01338/HCS) WR240
The Committee considered a
report from the Assistant Director of Waste and Environmental
Services (item 6 in the minute book) on a revised application in
Kings Worthy that had come to Committee earlier in 2023.
It was raised that a highway officer
was not present at the meeting and Members discussed whether the
meeting should be adjourned if a highway officer could not attend.
The meeting proceeded on the basis that it was premature to defer
the item before it had been heard. Members would therefore hear the
item and if they subsequently considered unable to make a decision
they would be free to move for deferral at that point.
The lead officer summarised the
report, highlighting the update report that had been published (see
minute book). This covered some amendments to the original report
and further information received since the publication, but did not
affect the recommendations. As detailed in the report, the
applicant had taken some proactive measures in response to local
concerns (including the installation of signage for HGV’s
upon exiting). The site has been actively monitored and no formal
complaints have been received by the Waste Planning Authority since
the last planning application was heard.
The Committee was shown aerial photographs of the site
and surrounding area, and the nearest properties were highlighted.
It was confirmed that the speedbumps on site had since been removed
with the whole site being resurfaced to help mitigate noise from
vehicles manoeuvring.
The Committee received seven deputations on this item along with the County Councillor. Local residents Amanda Hassell, Rosamund McCarthy, Ann Edwards and Steve Waters all attended and spoke against the application along with Councillor Signe Biddle from Kings Worthy Parish Council and Councllor Steve Cramoysan from Winchester City Council. The applicant attended to speak in support of the proposals and County Councillor Jackie Porter also shared her concerns regarding the application and potential impact on the local area.
During questions of deputations, the following points were clarified:
During questions of the officers, the following points were clarified:
During debate, Members agreed that attendance of Highways
officers would have been helpful for the meeting due to most of the
issues being around HGV’s and the road adjoining the site.
Whilst the Committee empathised with the local residents, it was
also acknowledged that a previous lapsed application for the site
had included no vehicle restrictions, which set a precedent. Some
Members had concerns regarding the creep of vehicle permissions and
emissions and road damage as a result of HGV’s, whereas
others noted that the HGV’s using the road were from other
sites as well as the applicant and so not all responsibility fell
to the site specifically.
Officers reminded Members that it was important to focus on the
application that had been presented to Committee and not any of the
previous applications and Members were reassured that a revised
Environmental Permit would be required and that there had been no
previous issues with the application, who were an accountable
operator.
An amendment was proposed by Councillor Mark Cooper and Seconded by
Councillor Stephen Parker. Following consultation with officers,
this was finalised and put to the vote:
“Prior to the commencement of
the development hereby approved, a Traffic Management Scheme will
be submitted to and approved in writing by the Waste Planning
Authority.
The scheme shall cover freight management measures (including the maintenance and retention of Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) routing and speed limit signage along the haul road), management of HGVs queuing prior to site opening) and the communication of measures to all HGV drivers entering and departing the site.
The scheme shall be implemented as approved for the duration of the development.
Reason: To ensure the satisfactory use of the highway in accordance with Policy 12 (Highway impacts) of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan (2013). This a pre-commencement condition which relates to the use of the highway and therefore goes to the heart of the permission.”
This was supported by 14
Members of the Committee and therefore approved. The recommendation
as amended was then put to the vote.
RESOLVED
Planning permission was GRANTED
subject to:
a) The conditions listed in Appendix A
b) The completion of legal agreements to ensure that the required mitigatory works to the public highway are completed to ensure levels of road safety are maintained along the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) route between the site’s vehicular access with Stoke Charity Road and at the agreed locations along Stoke Charity Road and Lovedon Lane
c) The update report
d)
The amendment supported by Committee as
follows:
Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, a
Traffic Management Scheme will be submitted to and approved in
writing by the Waste Planning Authority.
The scheme shall cover freight management measures (including the maintenance and retention of Heavy Good Vehicle (HGV) routing and speed limit signage along the haul road), management of HGVs queuing prior to site opening) and the communication of measures to all HGV drivers entering and departing the site.
The scheme shall be implemented as approved for the duration of the development.
Voting
Favour: 9
Against: 5
Abstentions: 2
Supporting documents: