Issue - meetings

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application which had been the subject of a site visit on 18 February 2013.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

            The Senior Minerals and Waste Officers detailed the background to the report explaining that the application was in line with local and national policy and guidance and was in an area identified for employment use in the UDP.  The principle of the development was acceptable and the proposal had been considered in detail along with the potential impact from noise and odour on neighbouring residential properties.  Statutory consultees had raised no objection to the application and, with the proposed mitigation measures in place, the recommendation was to approve the application. 

            Mr. K. Harris spoke against the application.  He explained that his property was next to the application site and one of the bedroom windows of his property overlooked the site.  The height of the window meant that he would still be able to see the site over the proposed four metre screening.  The screening would also cast shadows over his garden except in winter when the trees would be without leaves and he would be able to see the digester from his garden.  He raised concern about the proposed trees to be planted as the deeds to his property specified that he was not able to plant trees due to a possible subsidence problem.  The odours which were currently emitted from the site were nauseating at times, and Mr. Harris felt this would increase.  He also raised concerns about a large highly flammable gas storage facility next to his house. 

            Mr. R. Carter, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He said that the application complied with policy and the proposal was supported by Welsh Government sustainable development policy.  He spoke of the job creation in the principal employment zone and reiterated the comments that the site was allocated for employment use in the UDP.  He said that there had been concerns about the visual and noise impacts on local residents and amendments to the proposal had been made because of those concerns to reduce the impact.     

            Councillor P.G. Heesom said that the proposal was compliant with policy but raised concern about the impact on the residents.  He asked whether any offers had been made by the applicants to buy out the owners of the neighbouring properties.  He felt that the impact had not been fully addressedwith and that further advice was needed before Members made a decision on the application.  The Principal Solicitor advised the Committee that the issue raised by Councillor Heesom was not relevant for their deliberations and that the application should be determined based on the information before them.      

Councillor D.E. Wisinger proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He said that the company  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166