Apologies were received from Councillors AJM Blackshaw, AN Bridges, BA Durkin, JG Lester, RL Mayo, FM Norman and DB Wilcox.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.23 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor JF Knipe attended the meeting as a substitute member for Councillor AN Bridges and Councillor NP Nenadich substituted for Councillor DB Wilcox.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

Proposed polythene film recycling and production facility, with associated parking and access.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed polythene film recycling and production facility, with associated parking and access.)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr P Corcoran of Madley Parish Council spoke in support of the Scheme.  Mr A Fowler-Wright, an adjoining owner, spoke in objection.  Mr G Davis, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor DC Taylor, spoke on the application.

He commented on a number of issues including:

·         The firm was a valuable employer.  There was a need to recycle waste from the existing factory and a plant should be provided on site as proposed.  This would bring additional jobs. 

·         The Parish Council supported the proposal.

·         A traffic management plan had been agreed.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

·         The proposal had clear economic benefits.

·         The lack of a substantive response from the Environment Agency was questioned.  The Principal Planning Officer clarified the application process.  She confirmed that the Agency had not submitted an objection and there appeared to be no significant issues to be addressed.  If planning permission were granted the Agency would then have to consider an application for an Environmental Permit.

·         It was essential that the traffic management plan was managed effectively.  Clarification was sought on the concerns raised by the adjoining owner. The Transportation Manager confirmed that he was now satisfied that a satisfactory access could be secured through a condition and a section 278 agreement for highway works.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He had no additional comments.

RESOLVED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         C01/A01 [Time limit for commencement (full permission)]

2.         C06/B01 [approved plans]

3.         C13/C01 [external materials]

4.         No development shall take place until the following sequential investigation has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority:

a)         A 'desk study' report including previous site and adjacent site uses, potential contaminants arising from those uses, possible sources, pathways, and receptors, a conceptual model and a risk assessment in accordance with current best practice

b)         If the risk assessment in (a) confirms the possibility of a significant pollutant linkage(s), a site investigation should be undertaken to establish the nature and extent and severity of any contamination, incorporating the conceptual model for all potential pollutant linkages and an assessment of risk to identified receptors

c)         If the risk assessment in (b) identifies unacceptable risk(s) a detailed scheme specifying remedial works and measures necessary to avoid risk from contaminants/or gases when the site is developed. The Remediation Scheme shall include consideration of and proposals to deal with situations where, during works on site, contamination is encountered which has not previously been identified. Any further contamination encountered shall be fully assessed and an appropriate remediation scheme submitted to the local planning authority for written approval.

            Reason:   In the interests of human health, to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

Proposed erection of 10 houses with associated highway infrastructure and landscaping.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed erection of 10 houses with associated highway infrastructure and landscaping.)

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr L Stead, a local resident, spoke expressing concern about aspects of the detail of the application, not the principle.  Mr J Hicks, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor MJK Cooper, spoke on the application. 

He commented that the impact of flooding was the principal issue and expressed concern about the risk associated with building on land adjacent to the flood plain.

In the Committee’s discussion of the application the following principal points were made:

Concern was expressed about foul waste disposal in the absence of mains drainage. In response the Development Manager commented that satisfactory arrangements were proposed.

Whilst the site itself was highly unlikely to flood, the surrounding area was very vulnerable to flooding.  It was questioned how emergency services would reach the site.  In response the Emergency Planning Officer explained how a flood management and evacuation plan would be drawn up.

It was noted that whilst the Environment Agency had felt it had no option but to object to the proposal, it had stated that it did appreciate that this would prevent any additional development within Eardisland itself and why the Council might wish to approve the application.

The Parish Council supported the proposal.

The Development Manager commented that the site was the only site within the village outside the flood plain that provided an opportunity for growth at Eardisland.  Weight should be given to the fact that the development would provide 3 affordable houses.  Concerns about drainage and other technical matters could be addressed by conditions.  A drainage system had to be approved before development could take place. The site itself was in flood zone 1.  The Emergency Planning Officer had explained how a flood management and evacuation plan would operate.  Eardisland was identified in the Unitary Development Plan and the Core Strategy as a sustainable village where growth should take place.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  He commented that a difficult balance had to be struck.  The Committee had considered the key issues of flooding and drainage.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 obligation agreement in accordance with the Heads of Terms as attached to this report, officers named in the Scheme of Delegation to Officers are authorised to grant full planning permission, subject to the conditions below and any other further conditions considered necessary.

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         B02 Development in accordance with approved plans and materials

3.         The recommendations set out in Section 9 and 10 of the ecologist’s report from Star Ecology dated August/November July 2013 must be followed in relation to species mitigation and habitat enhancement. Prior to commencement of the development, a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

Proposed development of 1 x 2-bedroom bungalow, together with 2 off road parking spaces.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation.

(Proposed development of 1 x 2-bedroom bungalow, together with 2 off road parking spaces)

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr R Page, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

It was noted that the site was within the settlement boundary.

RESOLVED: That Outline Planning Permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         A02 Time limit for submission of reserved matters (outline permission)

2.         A03 Time limit for commencement (outline permission)

3.         A04 Approval of reserved matters

4.         A05 Plans and particulars of reserved matters

5.         H13 Access, turning area and parking

6.         I43 No burning of material/substances

7.         L01 Foul/surface water drainage

8.         L02 No surface water to connect to public system

9.         L03 No drainage run-off to public system

10.       H27 Parking for site operatives

11.       Secure cycle storage shall be provided in accordance with submitted plans before first occupation of the dwelling  and shall be retained to the satisfaction of the local planning authority

            Reason: To ensure that there is adequate cycle storage accommodation within the application site, encouraging alternative modes of transport in accordance with both local and national planning policy and to conform with the requirements of Policy DR3 of Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

Informatives:

1.         The Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against planning policy and any other material considerations, including any representations that have been received. It has subsequently determined to grant planning permission in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.         Welsh Water Advice:

            If a connection is required to the public sewerage system, the developer is advised to contact Dwr Cymru Welsh Water's Developer Services on 0800 917 2652.

            Some public sewers and lateral drains may not be recorded on our maps of public sewers because they were originally privately owned and were transferred into public ownership by nature of the Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011.  The presence of such assets may affect the proposal.  In order to assist us in dealing with the proposal we request the applicant contacts our Operations Contact Centre on 0800 085 3968 to establish the location and status of the sewer.  Under the Water Industry Act 1991 Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has rights of access to its apparatus at all times.

            The Welsh Government have introduced new legislation that will make it mandatory for all developers who wish to communicate with the public sewerage system to obtain an adoption agreement for their sewerage with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW).  The Welsh Ministers Standards for the construction of sewerage apparatus and an agreement under Section 104 of the Water Industry Act (WIA)1991 will need to be completed in advance of any authorisation to communicate with the public sewerage system under Section 106 WIA 1991 being granted by DCWW.

            Welsh Government introduced the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

Date of next site inspection – 24 March 2015

Date of next meeting – 25 March 2015