Issue - meetings

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed in the report  and with delegated authority for the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) to consider any further representations received prior to the 25 March 2017 before issuing a decision.

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. 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 officer gave an overview of the application and explained that the proposals were for the construction and operation of a Household Recycling Centre (HRC) to the east of the existing ‘Dependable Concrete’ batching facility on land off Chester Road (A548) in Oakenholt.  The facility would replace the existing HRCs currently located in Flint and Connah’s Quay.

The officer advised that the recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to the condition contained in report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) with delegated authority for the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) to consider any further representations received prior to the 25 March 2017 before issuing a decision.

Mr. J. Yorke spoke against the application on the following grounds: the application did accord with the Council’s approved development plan; the proposal was outside the settlement boundary; the proposal would be an intrusion of landscape and would have significant adverse impact on protected sites and species.  Mr. Yorke continued that the proposal would extend industrialisation of the A548 conflicting with UDP requirements of the green strip between Connah’s Quay and Oakenholt.  He commented on the odour which permeated from the Greenfield site at the A548 roundabout and the further problems of noise, ground vibration, and traffic pollution in the parameter area.  Mr. Yorke commented that there were failings in the transport assessment around the proposed junction design and location. He also outlined concerns around the signal installation and design of the signalised site junction which he said failed to meet Government design minimum standard requirements.  Mr. Yorke expressed further concerns around road realignment and speed limits.

Mr. A. Hoyle, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application and said a new HRC facility would being numerous  benefits to the residents of Connah’s Quay and Flint.  The new HRC would  provide a modern purpose designed facility to replace the two existing HRC sites.  He explained that the existing facilities located in Flint and Connah’s Quay were difficult to access, limited in space and facilities, and did not offer full opportunities for waste segregation and recycling.  The proposed site was situated centrally between Connah’s Quay and Flint, would be easily accessible by the general public and was ideally positioned to serve its catchment area.  Mr. Hoyle stated that there were no suitable alternative sites to locate the new facility.  Outlined the many benefits of the new HRC, Mr. Hoyle referred to improved safety, a wide range of skips and storage bays, and increased  opportunities for waste segregation and recycling.  In conclusion Mr. Hoyle commented on the suitability of the site access arrangements and reiterated that the proposed site was the right location for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152