Agenda item

This Application was for the variation of Condition 10 (hours of operation), Condition 16 (clarification of type of waste quantity) and Condition 17 (vehicle movements) of planning permission TWC/2017/0882 at Recycling House, Rock Road, Ketley, Telford, Shropshire TF1 5HW.

This application was deferred at Planning Committee on 25 September 2019 to allow officers to negotiate with the Applicant in respect of concerns relating to hours of operation and highway safety.

Councillor S Millward-Thomas spoke against the application on behalf of Ketley Parish Council who, although pleased that the increased operating hours would no longer take place they continued to raise concerns regarding road safety, suitability of the site increase of tonnage, damage to the road surface, environmental impact, noise, dust and loss of amenity for residents, the “S” bend and highway/pedestrian safety and the condition restricting lorry movements for a 40 minute slot at the start and end of school day, which they did not consider a suitable amount of time.

Councillor M Boylan, Ward Councillor, spoke on behalf of local residents and raised concerns regarding the incinerator bottom ash storage and waste management and the health impacts to the environment and local residents, the tonnage of vehicles, unsuitable highway infrastructure, condition of roads and access, noise impact as this site had stood empty for some time and the amenity of residents.

Mr P Nichols, member of the public, spoke against the application with regards to environmental safety with regard to hazardous substances in the waste product and the lack of protection for residents, the size of the lorries and the impact of the increased tonnage, highway safety regarding the “S” bend and the suitability of the site near to local Schools and the amount of vehicles coming in and out of the site on a weekly basis.

Mr P Bond, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application and explained that the increased tonnage of the waste was due to the wet state on the product upon arrival.  This was non-hazardous and approval had already been given for incinerator bottom ash waste at the site.  There were currently no HGV restrictions on this road but signs would be placed on the “S” bend.  This application would bring the site back into use and create 15 full-time jobs.

The Planning Officer reminded Members that this application before them was to consider the impact on amenity and highway safety and that consent had already been granted for incinerator bottom ash was, this was not for consideration at this meeting.  The applicant had addressed the concerns regarding the 6am start and this condition would no longer be varied.  Access would be improved and there would be a S106 agreement towards the VAS and highway improvements.  A further condition would be required preventing HGVs to leave the site a school peak times.

During the debate some Members considered that, as the incinerator bottom ash permission had already been granted, this application could go to appeal for non-determination which might result in conditions being imposed which Members might not be happy with.  Other Members raised concerns regarding noise impact on residents, tonnage of vehicles, the suitability of the entrance, vehicular movements and asked for clarification of the variations that were asked for on this application.

The Planning Officer confirmed that noise from the site would be controlled by the Environment Agency via the permit which had been granted last year for the incinerator bottom ash waste.

Upon being put to the vote it was, by a majority:-

RESOLVED – that in respect of Planning Application TWC/2019/0133 that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant planning permission to vary Conditions 16 and 17 subject to the following:

a)     A contribution of £40,000 towards the installation and maintenance of a VAS system. The s.106 will contain a clause that any unspent money after this has been installed and maintenance sum + indexation has been deducted, will be returned to the applicant.

A contribution of £36,000 towards carriageway resurfacing along Waterloo Road in the vicinity of the site access.  Contribution to be split into 3 phased payments of £12,000, the first payment being 12 months on from commencement of operations on site with a further two payments after another 12 months and 24 months respectively.

b)    The following additional Condition (with authority to finalise Conditions and reasons for approval to be delegated to Development Management Service Delivery Manager):

i)     During school term times at the adjacent Newdale and Meadows Primary Schools there shall be no HGV movements leaving the site during the hours of 0830-0910 and 14:50-1520.