Issue - meetings

            That planning permission be refused on the grounds that the potential increase in output would have a detrimental impact on the environment and potential noise increase.  

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application which had been the subject of a site visit on 22 February 2016.  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 Manager (Minerals and Waste) detailed the background to the report and explained that the application was requesting a variation to condition 4 relating to the hours of working and the delivery and removal of materials.  There had been a number of objections from the local residents and Cilcain Community Council but none from statutory consultees.  He drew Members attention to the late observations where information on a noise assessment that had been undertaken was reported.  It was proposed to increase the delivery hours from 8am to 6pm to 7am to 7pm and this would allow for the possibility of further employment in addition to the 50 workers currently employed on the site.  Controls were already in place for the site in relation to noise and dust in the form of an environmental permit which was regulated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).  However, he added that the operator was in breach of a condition relating to height of materials stored outside the building as the mound was in excess of what was permitted.  If there was no evidence that the height of the waste was reduced, then the permit would be removed by NRW. 

            Mr. J. Williams, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  The proposal for an extra hour at the start and end of the day for external working and deliveries to the site from Monday to Saturday.  Increasing the hours would allow the continuation of the management of the specialised waste and would create further jobs at the plant, whilst safeguarding existing jobs at the site.  The site was located on an industrial estate and it was considered that the proposal was in keeping with other units on the industrial estate.  Highway access was good and it was felt that the proposal would have a negligible impact on neighbouring residents.  On the issue of dust, the report stated that there was no evidence of dust accumulation in the area and the application was compliant with national policy and the Unitary Development Plan.  There had only been an objection from Cilcain Community Council, which indicated that there had been improvements to the management of the site, and none from statutory consultees.  The Council’s Public Protection officer had indicated that the noise from the site was inaudible and had therefore not raised any objection.  Consultation responses did not relate to dust emissions being an issue.  The overall development constituted a sustainable development and Mr. Williams encouraged the Committee to approve the application.         

            Councillor Owen Thomas proposed refusal of the application, against officer recommendation, which was duly seconded.  He raised concern about the breach of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129