Agenda item

That planning permission be refused on the grounds of highway safety reasons

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 20 April 2015.  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 highlighted the main planning considerations that were reported in paragraph 7.05 and outlined in the report.  He referred Members to the late observations which included an additional suggested condition concerning days and hours of work.

Mr. John Yorke   spoke against the application on behalf of concerned residents.  He raised a number of concerns in relation to unsafe and inadequate access and highway safety.  He commented on the lack of restriction on direction of travel to and from the entrance/exit points and the risks associated with heavy traffic and large vehicles seeking to perform manoeuvres in and out of the access.    He also referred to the impact in terms of site operation and  the number of days and hours worked  which he felt had not been given sufficient consideration by Planning Officers.  He referred to the number of Halkyn Quarry lorries which would travel through the centre of Flint and he expressed further concerns regarding the scale and design of the building and the 26m. high structure proposed, which he said could not be obscured from public view

Mr. Huw Evans, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application. He referred to the improvements that had been made to address the concerns raised by the local Member for the Ward, local residents and following discussions with Highways officers it was intended to close the central reservation gaps, ensuring that all traffic would turn left resulting in a net gain to highway safety.  With regard to potential noise and dust issues he stated that the batching plant used a wet process and there was no objection from the Council’s Pollution Control officers. He added that the proposal complied with the policies in the UDP and national policies concerning sustainable use of brownfield land and the creation and safeguarding of local jobs.  Concerning the late observations he said that the suggested additional condition in relation to the days and hours of work at the site were also acceptable to the applicant.

Councillor Ray Hughes moved refusal of the application, against officer recommendation, which was duly seconded.  He outlined his concerns in terms of highway safety on the basis of 30 ton lorries having to stop for both the cycleway and the road and commented on the lack of an acceleration/ deceleration lane. He added that this would introduce slow moving vehicles at both roundabouts. He believed that the safety of the general public travelling in the area was paramount and expressed the view that this outweighed any benefits to be gained by granting the application.    

Councillor Mike Peers acknowledged that the applicant had sought to address closure of the central reservation gaps, however, he felt that further enhancements were required and that an acceleration/deceleration lane was needed on this fast stretch of road, in which case he would be happier with the proposal.

Councillor Derek Butler spoke in support of the application and the choice of location.  He said the proposal would develop and protect employment in the area.   

Councillor Chris Bithell stated that this was a brownfield site and officers from Planning and Highways had raised no sound planning reasons to refuse the application and he commented on the need to acknowledge the advice provided.

Councillor David Cox spoke against the application.  He referred to the routes which heavy vehicles would have to take to and from Halkyn through Flint and said that the number of vehicles proposed would place a severe strain on traffic in the area.

Officers responded to the concerns raised and referred to the improvements that would be made to the existing access and that the Manual for Streets did not support the provision of acceleration/deceleration lanes. The concerns over routing could be met through a traffic management plan, which could be conditioned.  Referring to the further issues raised regarding visibility Officers advised that arrangements were in excess of requirements. The Planning Strategy Manger added that the proposal complied with Policy EM4, he referred to previous uses which included a petrol filling station and the existing heavy traffic through Flint.

In summing up Councillor Ray Hughes reiterated his concerns around highway safety and commented on the danger posed by the manoeuvring of heavy vehicles, slow moving traffic, lack of a deceleration lane, and a cycle-way.  

The Chair asked Members to vote on the proposal put forward by Councillor Ray Hughes that the application be refused.  On being put to the vote the proposal to grant the application was LOST

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be refused on the grounds of highway safety reasons