Proposed alterations to roof, replacement of existing roof vents with noise suppression louvres. Acoustic panel surround and silencers to chiller units.

The application was approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation with an additional informative note.

(Proposed alterations to roof, replacement of existing roof vents with noise suppression louvres. Acoustic panel surround and silencers to chiller units.)

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, as appended to these Minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr R Pendleton, of Leominster Town Council spoke in opposition to the Scheme.  Mr and Mrs Domanski, local residents, spoke in objection.  Mr P Cooke, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the local ward member, Councillor JM Bartlett, spoke on the application.

She made the following principal comments:

·        The recognition that there were issues to rectify was welcome.

·        The report stated that planning permission was not required for the new unit itself. The principal issue was whether the works were the best solution to the noise problems being caused by the factory, representing best practice and the use of the best techniques.

·        UDP policy DR13 required this type of development to include appropriate measures to mitigate noise impact to an acceptable level.  There were still a number of issues for the applicant to address in relation to noise.  She therefore requested that in line with Leominster Town Council’s representation, if permission were granted, following completion of the proposed works the applicant should be required to undertake a noise assessment of the site to ensure that the measures had worked.

·        BPI was important to the economy of Leominster and of the County as a whole.  BPI had recently met the Town Council.  It was to be hoped that if permission were granted, with the proposed condition, links between the two would continue to improve.

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

·        Noise from the factory was clearly affecting local residents.  The proposed improvements should be approved and then subjected to regular monitoring to ensure that they were effective.

·        Low frequency sound was very intrusive and difficult to track.  The company appeared to be trying to address the issue and its efforts should be supported.

·        The noise from the factory had caused considerable distress to local residents.  Local confidence in the company’s actions to address the problem had been shaken.  A condition requiring monitoring of the new measures would contribute to rebuilding that confidence.

·        It was asked why the report expressed such confidence at paragraph 6.4 that the measures proposed would have a positive impact.  The Environmental Protection Service Manager commented on work undertaken by the Service and by the Company with consultants.  Noise would continue to be an issue for some residents because it was difficult to completely silence a factory.  However, the firm had co-operated with the Service and he considered that the proposals were good.

·        The Development Manager commented that a condition of the type being proposed would be unenforceable. An informative note could be added requesting the applicant to undertake monitoring, but a requirement to do so could not be imposed.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate.  She expressed concern that a condition could not be imposed and that it appeared that some residents would continue to suffer from the noise.  It was to be hoped that the Company would seek to rebuild confidence with the community.

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.         C02 Matching external materials

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 Planning Committee encourages the adoption of further monitoring following the installation of sound proofing, louvres and sound dampening to the chiller units, and discussions with the Council’s Environmental Health Department.