Agenda item

            (a)       That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning and to the following additional conditions identified during the determination of the application:-

                        i)          Hours of operation in relation to different functions

ii)         Food waste not to be taken to another handling facility in the County prior to its final disposal

iii)        drainage conditions from the late observations sheet

(b)       That a letter be sent to the Welsh Government from the Head of Planning on behalf of the Planning Committee to seek a reduction in the speed limit on the A494. 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application.  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 detailed the background to the report and explained that the application had been deferred at the meeting on 7^th November 2012 pending receipt of further advice in relation to the proposed food recycling activities at the site. 

            Mr. S. Jones spoke in support of the application explaining that this was part of the reorganisation of facilities and the application had two main purposes which were, to seek consent to continue the functions at Alltami and to complete the remodelling work on the site.  He said that the proposals had been fully costed and work would go ahead subject to the outcome of this application.  He provided details on the four departments which would be operating from the site and spoke of the three main elements to the site which included the proposal to reclad the ‘red shed’, to demolish the concrete building and replace it with a purpose built building and to house the food waste facility.  He explained that no food waste was left on the site in the evening as it was transferred to the current food waste recycling centre in Telford which was a temporary measure until the regional food waste facility at Rhuallt became operational, whereupon the wastes would be transferred there at the end of each day. 

            Councillor W.O. Thomas proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He welcomed the decision to house all of the services on the same site.    

            Councillor M.J. Peers said that he had proposed deferment at the previous meeting due to concerns about possible double handling of the food waste.  He explained that a meeting had taken place with the local Member and the Head of Streetscene who had confirmed that double handling did not take place. 

            The local Member, Councillor C.A. Ellis congratulated the Head of Streetscene for the consultation which had been undertaken with the neighbouring residents and she reminded Members that no letters of objection had been received as the issues had been addressed.  She raised concern about the speed of traffic on the A494 and said that she had previously asked for a reduction in the speed limit.  She also asked whether the hours of operation could be conditioned to be 7am to 6pm with the exception of gritting work which could be required 24 hours per day in the winter. 

            Councillor P.G. Heesom raised concern about whether the site had the capacity to house all of the proposed services and said that the traffic problems at the junction with the A494 would increase.  Councillor R.B. Jones requested that an additional condition be included that the food waste not be taken to Brookhill or Standard sites.  The officer said that the A494 was a trunk road so the authority did not have the jurisdiction to amend the speed limit but advised Members that the traffic volume as a result of the proposal had been considered.  

            Councillor Ellis asked whether it was possible to ask the Trunk Road Agency to reconsider the traffic impact and a reduction in the speed limit. 

            In response to the request to condition for hours of operation, the officer said that there were elements of work at Alltami depot which required 24 hours of operation.  He said that hours of operation for the various elements could be identified and conditioned accordingly.  On the issue of highways, the Senior Engineer - Highways Development Control confirmed that the Trunk Road Agency had jurisdiction over the A494. 

            The Democracy & Governance Manager confirmed that the extra conditions requested during the discussion were for hours of operation and that no food waste to be taken to either Standard or Brookhill sites.  A request was also made that a letter be sent to the Welsh Government about concerns on the speed limit on the A494.  An additional condition regarding surface water drainage was also included in the late observations sheet.  Councillor Thomas confirmed that the extra conditions could be incorporated into his proposal to approve the application.       

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Head of Planning and to the following additional conditions identified during the determination of the application:-

                        i)          Hours of operation in relation to different functions

ii)         Food waste not to be taken to another handling facility in the County prior to its final disposal

iii)        drainage conditions from the late observations sheet

(b)       That a letter be sent to the Welsh Government from the Head of Planning on behalf of the Planning Committee to seek a reduction in the speed limit on the A494.