Change of use from potato plant to a materials recovery facility; erection of soundproof fencing and a nine bay storage area.

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer introduced the application for the change of use from potato plant to a materials recovery facility; erection of soundproof fencing and a nine bay storage area and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area. Members’ attention was drawn to the information contained within the Schedule of Additional letters.

Mrs Eley on behalf of local residents spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Peter Waters on behalf of Stoke on Tern Parish Council spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in Part 4 of Shropshire Council’s Constitution, Councillor Karen Calder addressed the Committee as the local ward Councillor, during which a number of points were raised including the following:

·         What was the definition of occasional external crushing operations, as referred to in paragraph 6.4.9 of the report;

·         Whether the vehicles used on site would have reverse warning alarms;

·         What arrangements would be in place for asbestos deliveries;

·         The previous item on the agenda had a procedure in place for dealing with complaints relating to operations at the site. 

·         She had no objection to the principle of the development but felt that the proposed development was in the wrong location given its close proximity to residential properties and was contrary to Core Strategy Policy CS6.

Ms Mandy Stoker, Agent on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

The Technical Specialist Planning Officer responded to the points raised by the local member.  It was explained that there were no further details as to the frequency of the external crushing operations, however there was a condition recommended to control the time crushing could take place and also the requirement to erect acoustic fencing and that crushing should take place in the area furthest from residential dwellings.  With regards to asbestos control, this was covered within the Environmental Permit.  In response to questions relating to the retail aspect of the proposal, the Technical Specialist Planning Officer explained that the primary use of the site was for recycling and a condition was proposed to require that retail would form only an ancillary part of operations at the site.

Having considered the submitted plans and listened to the comments made by all of the speakers, the majority of Members were supportive of the application but having heard the concerns of local residents, the parish council and given the close proximity to residential dwellings further conditions, particularly in relation to external crushing, were required to ensure the amenity of local residents was protected.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation, subject to:

• The conditions set out in Appendix 1, as amended below;
• An additional condition to prevent any external crushing until a scheme for managing external crushing operations has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. The scheme shall include provision for a trial period of external crushing during which time noise monitoring will be undertaken to the satisfaction of the local planning authority;
• An amendment to Condition 14 to reduce the time that external crushing is permitted to 10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday, with no external crushing to take place on Saturday.
• a condition to require the  submission for approval and implementation of a procedure for dealing with any amenity complaints relating to site operations;
•  A condition requiring submission of information for approval confirming the details location and access for the ancillary retail aspect of the operation
• (wording of the conditions to be delegated to the Area Planning Manager)