Forming of new access and site road. Construction of new packing shed.  Erection of 2 no. polytunnels. Placing of 4 no. mobile storage units on site.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided; the schedule of committee updates is appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mrs Reynolds, representing Burghill Parish Council, and Mrs Roberts, a local resident, both spoke in objection to the application, and Mr Ball, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor SR Robertson, the local ward member, commented on a number of issues, including:

• There were a number of local concerns regarding the highways and road safety.
• 55 metres of hedgerow would have to be removed to allow for a suitable access.
• The translocation of hedgerow was not always successful.
• There was no footpath so people would have to walk along a busy road. There had been a number of accidents on the road including an incident where 2 horses were killed in a collision with a motor vehicle.
• The site was in a dominant position and would therefore change the character of the area.
• There would be no new employment opportunities as all of the staff would be moved from the current operation.
• The site was not suitable for any further expansion.
• The applicant’s son was a local resident who lived within the parish, he wished his support for the application to be noted.
• In 1999 an access onto the road was refused due to Highways concerns.
• Concerns had been raised due to the volume of water to be extracted from the site.

In response to a number of questions, the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that there was a maximum capacity for 20 cubic metres of water to be extracted from the site although this would not all be used. She also confirmed that the application proposed the removal of 55 metres of hedgerow although some of this would be translocated. Finally she added that her discussions with the Highways team had not identified any recorded accidents on the highway.

Members discussed the application and felt that the siteline and visibility would be greatly improved if the application was approved. They felt that a number of the objections regarding screening, and the site in general could be addressed through appropriate conditions. On balance they felt hat the Committee should be seen to be supporting rural enterprises and felt that the application should be approved.

Members made particular reference to the issue of screening and felt that it would be appropriate to ensure that mature trees were used to protect the neighbouring residents. In response the Principal Planning Officer advised that Members could condition a landscape management plan which could address the height and species of any proposed screening

Members also noted that the access would be improved for the neighbouring resident as a result of the improvements to the site. Members noted that the access to the site was onto the C1099 which ran from Tillington to Credenhill. Members noted that the Planning Committee could not condition any speed restrictions on the road but requested that the Highways investigate the viability of a speed restriction.

In response to a question raised by Members, the Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the recommendation contained a condition to address the issue of surface water drainage on the site. She also advised that the application was for one polytunnel and that any additional polytunnels would require planning consent.

It was noted that the packing shed on the site was quite a large building and that although the applicant had removed one of the polytunnels, the remaining one had been increased in size. The importance of Parish Plans in the planning process was also raised with one member feeling that more weight should be given to them.

In response to a question, the Locum Lawyer confirmed that condition 18 was solely a restriction on working hours for the construction of the site and not for its operation.

Councillor Robertson was given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. She reiterated her opening remarks and commented on a number of additional issues, including:

• The application was contrary to Planning Policies DR2, DR3, DR4, DR6, E11, E13, LA2 and LA5 and it should therefore be refused.
• The road did not fit the criteria for having a speed restriction.
• If Members were minded to approve the application could the local member be consulted regarding landscaping and materials.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

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

2.         G10 Landscaping scheme.

3.         G11 Landscaping scheme - implementation.

4.         H03 Visibility splays.

5.         H06 Vehicular access construction.

6.         H09 Driveway gradient.

7.         H13 Access, turning area and parking.

8.         C01 Samples of external materials.

9.         F01 Restriction on hours of working.

10.       Restriction on hours of delivery.

11.       The use / buildings hereby permitted shall not be open to customers at       any time.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and the amenities of the locality having regard to policies DR2 and DR3 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

12.       F06 Restriction on use.

13.       I32 Details of floodlighting / external lighting.

14.       K4 Nature Conservation - Implementation.

15.       K5 Habitat Enhancement Scheme.

16.       H27 - Parking for site operatives.

17.       G01 - Earthworks (including ponds, access and surrounding areas).

18.       I16 - Restriction of hours during construction.

19.       I18 - Scheme of foul drainage disposal.

20.       Prior to the commencement of works a full working method statement for the translocation and subsequent monitoring (including timetable of works) of the hedgerow identified on the approved plans shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  Works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of landscape impact and to ensure that the nature conservation interest of the site is protected having regard to policies LA2, LA5, LA6, NC1 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

Informative:

1.         N15 Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC