Adaptation and change of use of storage building (building 7) for storage and manufacturing, additional car parking, external storage tanks and the erection of a 26 metre odour stack and associated infrastructure.

The application was approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation subject to an additional condition regarding the installation of CCTV.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application and updates / additional representations received following the publication of the agenda were provided in the update sheet.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Simpson, representing some of the local residents, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Telford, representing the applicant, spoke in support.

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

·         The local residents support Tyrell’s as a brand but had concerns in respect of further development on the site.

·         Members’ attention was drawn to a greetings card of Dilwyn highlighting the landscape.

Members were generally in support of the application; however they noted the concerns raised by the Transport Manager and the Conservation Manager. The success of the Tyrell’s brand was recognised but Members had sympathy with the neighbouring residents who voiced concerns in respect of the application and the operation as a whole.

The Committee noted the applicant’s comments stating that this would be the final development on the site. This statement was welcomed as the committee considered that any further development would be difficult to support.

The current transport issues around the site were also discussed. Members noted that the applicant had offered to provide CCTV on the site in order to monitor the compliance of the existing traffic management plan. This was welcomed and the Committee requested that the provision of CCTV be a condition of any planning approval on the site.

Members continued to discuss the expansion of the existing site. A number of Members voiced concern in respect of any additional development with the suggestion being that Tyrell’s should consider relocating to an industrial unit within the County. Other Members noted that the Tyrell’s brand had been built on a farm diversification and considered that the business needed to remain on its existing site.

Councillor Cooper was given the opportunity to close the debate. He reiterated his opening remarks and made additional comments, including:

·         The Committee needed to note the concerns of the Traffic Manager.

·         Tyrell’s already had a storage unit on Enterprise Park in Leominster. They should consider relocating more of the business to this site.

·         There has not been enough dialogue between Tyrell’s and the local residents.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         A01 Time limit for commencement (full permission)

2.         B01 Development in accordance with the approved plans

3.         The development hereby approved shall not be commenced until the first chimney stack approved on the site to service existing production plant in building 3, as approved under application reference N121981/F, is fully implemented and operational.

Reason: In order to ensure that existing odour mitigation measures are implemented before any further development occurs on the site, and to comply with Policy DR4 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

4.         The chimney stack hereby approved shall be coloured a matt grey/blue colour, the precise detail of which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to its installation. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In order to mitigate the visual impact of the development and to comply with Policies E8 and LA2 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

5.         A detailed site-wide landscape and ecological assessment and management plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to the commencement of development. The provisions of the management plan shall be implemented in the first planting season preceding the commencement of development and shall be maintained thereafter.

Reason: In order to provide some compensation for the visual impact of the development and to comply with Policies LA6 and NC8 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

6.         In the event that the chimney stack hereby permitted becomes redundant, inoperative or permanently unused for a period in excess of six months, it, and its entire associated infrastructure, shall be permanently removed from the site.

Reason: The chimney stack has been permitted to address concerns about odour emanating from the site. Should it become redundant, its visual impact would be unwarranted, contrary to Policy LA2 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

7.         Prior to the commencement of development hereby approved being first brought into use, a revised Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  These shall be carried out in accordance with the revised Traffic Management Plan in perpetuity.

Reason: In the interests of protecting local amenities and having regard to highway safety in accordance with policies DR1, DR2 and DR3 of the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan.

Informative:

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.         The revised Traffic Management Plan referred to by condition 7 above should include measures to monitor vehicle movements along the B4457.