Agenda item

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 new facility and had been designed to meet the needs of the local communities.  

Councillor David Cox moved the officer recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.   He said that the existing Connah’s Quay and Flint HRCs were no longer fit for purpose and were in need of replacement. He commended the Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection and Leisure, the Chief Officer and his team, for the work undertaken on the proposals. 

Councillor Ian Dunbar welcomed the proposals and commented on the significant benefits to be gained by the residents of Connah’s Quay and Flint in terms of ease of public access, additional opening hours, improved health and safety, and increased recycling rates for Flintshire.  Councillor Dunbar expressed appreciation for the tenacity of local residents and the work of the Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection and Leisure, to ensure that HRC provision was retained for local residents. 

Councillor Paul Shotton also supported the proposals and said that the concerns raised around traffic had been addressed by the reduced speed and traffic lighting proposals under the Section 278 Agreement.  He referred to the many benefits to be gained by the local communities of Flint and Connah’s Quay and referred to the 7 day opening hours, improved standards, and potential to increase recycling rates in Flintshire.

Councillor Derek Butler referred to the Native Black Poplars which are Britain’s rarest timber tree and sought clarification around the safeguarding measures as the Poplars were not currently subject to a Tree Preservation Order.  He asked that Natural Resources Wales be asked to check the arrangements around the drainage on site which may have an impact on the trees.     

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the business ‘Dependable Concrete’ which was located next to the proposed  site and asked if this was also in open countryside and how planning permission had been granted for that application.

Councillor Richard Jones said that there were a number of risks with the proposed site and that there could be additional costs incurred due to the need to address these, citing land contamination as an example.  He referred to the suitable site which had been identified by the Welsh Government and said that the need for the new site and the proposed location had to be balanced against the overall costs.

The officer responded in detail to the concerns which were raised around safeguarding of the Native Black Poplars, drainage, location of  the site in the open countryside, the potential risk of contamination, and the potential for odour to develop on site     The officer also referred to the concerns which were raised around failing of the proposed junction design and said this had been addressed within the Transport Assessment and an update was provided in the additional comments circulated at the start of meeting.

The Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) acknowledged the comments raised by Councillor Richard Jones concerning the potential for associated costs with the proposed site and stated that the matter for consideration by the Committee was around the appropriate use of land.  The Chief Officer also acknowledged the point made by Councillor Derek Butler regarding Tree Preservation Orders and said he would pursue this matter with the relevant officer. 

On being put to the vote, the proposal to approve the application with the amended recommendation referred to in the late observations, was carried.

RESOLVED:

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.

Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest in application number 056436, Councillor David Wisinger left the meeting prior to the matter being debated.  Councillor Ian Dunbar, Vice-Chair, took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.