New natural gas pressure reduction installation and associated works (underground tie-ins to existing Peterstow Compressor Station and no. 2 feeder outside the Compressor Station)

New natural gas pressure reduction installation and associated works (underground tie-ins to existing Peterstow Compressor Station and no. 2 feeder outside the Compressor Station)

The Southern Team Leader ran through the main aspects of the application and said that National Grid had submitted an appeal in respect of application DCSW2006/1298/F - New natural gas pressure reduction installation and associated works (site a)  - which had been refused   by the Sub-Committee at its meeting on 25th August, 2006.

Councillor Mrs JA Hyde, one of the Local Ward Members said that the site was much more acceptable than the one previously refused because it would be much less intrusive on a very attractive part of rural Herefordshire.  She said that this view was also shared by the other Ward Member, Councillor GA Davis.  The Sub-Committee was unanimously in favour of the application.

RESOLVED

That:

(i)                     Pursuant to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 293), Regulation 3(2) the Herefordshire Council has taken the environmental information into consideration when making their decision.  “Environmental Information” is defined by Regulation 2(1) as “the environmental statement, including any further information, any representations made by any body required by those Regulations to be invited to make representations, and any representations duly made by any other person about the environmental effects of the development:” and

(ii)                    That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

                        1.         A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission))

                        Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

                        2.         B11 (Details of external finishes and cladding (industrial buildings))

                        Reason: To secure properly planned development.

3.                     D01 (Site investigation - archaeology)

                        Reason: To ensure the archaeological interest of the site is recorded.

4.                     G05 (Implementation of landscaping scheme (general))

                        Reason:  In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

5.                     Notwithstanding the details shown on the landscaping scheme the planting specification for the new hedgerows shall be more diverse and supplemented with oak trees to be planted at regular intervals. The details of these shall be submitted to and be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. The work shall be carried out concurrently with the implementation of the landscaping scheme.

                        Reason:  In order to protect the visual amenities of the area.

6.                     If during development, contamination not previously identified, is found to be present at the site then no further development (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority) shall be carried out until the developer has submitted, and obtained written approval from the local planning authority for, an addendum to the Method Statement.  This addendum to the Method Statement must detail how this unsuspected contamination shall be dealt with.

                        Reason:  To ensure that the development complies with approved details in the interests of protection of Controlled Waters.

7.                     Any facilities for the storage of oils, fuels or chemicals shall be sited on impervious bases and surrounded by impervious bund walls.  The volume of the bunded compound shall be at least equivalent to the capacity of the tank plus 10%.  If there is multiple tankage, the compound shall be at least equivalent to the capacity of the largest tank, vessel or the combined capacity of interconnected tanks or vessels plus 10%.  All filling points, associated pipework, vents, gauges and sight glasses must be located within the bund or have separate secondary containment.  The drainage system of the bund shall be sealed with no discharge to any watercourse, land or underground strata.  Associated pipework shall be located above ground and protected from accidental damage.  All filling points and tank/vessels overflow pipe outlets shall be detailed to discharge downwards into the bund.

                        Reason:  To prevent pollution of the water environment.

8.                     Prior to being discharged into any watercourse, surface water sewer or soakaway system, all surface water drainage from parking areas and hardstandings shall be passed through an oil interceptor designed and constructed to have a capacity and details compatible with the site being drained.

                        Reason:  To prevent pollution of the water environment.

9.                     Prior to the commencement of development a scheme for the treatment and disposal of condensate discharge from the boiler shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

                        Reason:  To prevent pollution of the water environment.

10.                   All foul drainage shall be contained within a sealed and watertight cesspool, fitted with a level warning device to indicate when the tank needs emptying.

                        Reason:  To prevent pollution of the water environment.

11.                   No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a scheme for the provision and implementation of a surface water regulation system including the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and pollution prevention techniques has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  Surface water generated from the site shall be limited to the equivalent Greenfield run-off rate for the site (10I/sec/ha).  The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

                        Reason:  To prevent pollution of the water environment and the increased risk of flooding.

12.                   During the construction phase no machinery shall be operated, no process shall be carried out and no deliveries taken at or despatched from the site outside the following times: 7.00am to 7.00pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturdays.   No work on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

                        Reason: To protect the amenity of local residents.

13.                   F02 (Scheme of measures for controlling noise)

                        Reason: In order to protect the amenity of occupiers of nearby properties.

14.                   H28 (Public rights of way)

                        Reason: To ensure the public right of way is not obstructed.

15.                   Further surveys for bats and nesting birds shall be conducted at an appropriate time of year by appropriately qualified ecologists and the results submitted for the approval of Herefordshire Council’s ecologist prior to development.

                        Reason:  All species of bat and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and policies within the Local Plan and UDP NC1, NC5, NC6 and NC7.

                        Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and policies within the Local Plan and UDP NC1, NC5, NC6 and NC7.

16.                   Prior to development, a method statement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. This shall detail ecological mitigation and enhancement measures pre-, during and post-construction and should include a capture and exclusion programme for great crested newts.  Construction works are to be overseen by an ecological clerk of works.

                        Reason:  All species of bat and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and policies within the Local Plan and UDP NC1, NC5, NC6 and NC7.

                        Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and policies within the Local Plan and UDP NC1, NC5, NC6 and NC7.

                        Informative(s):

1.                     ND03 - Contact Address

2.                     Developers should incorporate pollution prevention measures to protect ground and surface water.  We have produced a range of guidance notes giving advice on statutory responsibilities and good environmental practice which include Pollution Prevention Guidance Notes (PPG's) targeted at specific activities.  Pollution prevention guidance can be viewed at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444251/444731/ppg/

                        The applicant should also contact Jeremy Churchill to agree pollution prevention measures that may be required during construction and post construction phases.

3.                     Site operators should ensure that there is no possibility of contaminated water entering and polluting surface or underground waters.

4.                     Your attention is drawn to Table B2, of PPS25 - Development and Flood Risk (December 2006), which states that...'in making an assessment of the impacts of climate change...the sensitivity ranges in Table B2 may provide an appropriate precautionary response to the uncertainty about climate change impacts on rainfall intensities...'

                        We would therefore recommend, for a development with a lifetime to 2085 (as proposed) that a 20% increase is added to the 1% storm event to account for climate change.

5.                     Surface water run-off should be controlled as near to its source as possible through a sustainable drainage approach to surface water management (SUDS).  This approach involves using a range of techniques including soakaways, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, grassed swales, ponds and wetlands to reduce flood risk by attenuating the rate and quantity of surface water run-off from a site.  This approach can also offer other benefits in terms of promoting groundwater recharge, water quality improvement and amenity enhancements.  Approved Document Part H of the Building Regulations 2000 sets out a hierarchy for surface water disposal which encourages a SUDS approach.

6.                     HN01 - Mud on highway

7.                     HN02 - Public rights of way affected

8.                     In making this decision the local planning authority had regard to the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 and have concluded on the basis of the submitted material that there would be insufficient adverse environmental effects from the proposed development to justify refusal of planning permission.

9.                     N19 - Avoidance of doubt

10.                   N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of Planning Permission