Agenda item

To consider planning application WD/D/19/000451 for the winning and working of sand and gravel from a new extraction area at Chard Junction Quarry. The proposal also includes the provision of a haul road and the retention of the existing mineral processing facilities. The report recommends approval to the application subject to conditions and the completion of a S106 agreement.

The Senior Planning Officer, Minerals and Waste presented the report for consideration of planning application WD/D/19/000451 for the winning and working of sand and gravel from a new extraction area at Chard Junction Quarry. The proposal also included the provision of a haul road and the retention of the existing mineral processing facilities. The report recommended approval of the application subject to conditions and the completion of a S106 agreement.

 

With the aid of a visual presentation the location plan detailing the proximity of the site to the surrounding areas, together with the site plan for the proposed development showing the county boundary was presented to the committee.  A small part of the site being in the Somerset area but the majority within the Dorset boundary. The site was within an Area of Natural Beauty (ANOB) area of Dorset but not Somerset.  The Senior Planning Officer, Minerals and Waste detailed a number of constraints in the area and took the committee members through the various planned phases and indicative restoration scheme.

 

Members were shown a number of photographs of the site area from varying angles and points including the location of the proposed haul road, it’s relationship to boundaries and proximity to residential properties, including the existing processing area and the existing silt lagoons.

 

The Senior Planning Officer, Minerals and Waste picked up on a number of points highlighting the mitigation and compensation elements of the scheme in order to reduce the impacts to an acceptable level. In relation to archaeological conditions proposed within the report he suggested that conditions 27 and 28 be replaced by one single condition to read:

 

‘No works shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant to, and approved by the Planning Authority. This scheme shall cover archaeological fieldwork together with post-excavation work and publication of the results.'

 

Although the report had not been updated to reflect the latest NPPF guidance, apart from paragraph numbering, the advice within the framework and it’s main thrust was considered to be the same,  dust emissions had been taken into consideration, appropriately mitigated and could be assured by planning considerations.

 

The committee were advised that the revised recommendation following the further update sheet issued on 3/9/21 was to be amended to include the revised archaeological recommendation.

 

The Monitoring and Enforcement Officer (M&W) read the written representations and Cllr Simon Christopher, Ward Councillor for Marshwood Vale also made representation. 

 

The written representations are attached as an appendix to these minutes and Cllr Christopher’s address can be found at 50:40 on the recording.

 

The Senior Planning Officer, Minerals and Waste responded to the points raised in the representations relating to the issue of consultation.

 

The Committee members were invited to ask questions of the Senior Planning Officer, Minerals and Waste.

 

Member questions focused around:

Conditions and proposals for restoring the site and potential landscaping,

The Health and Safety track record of the applicant,

After care management,

The balance of need against the impact on the AONB and how the application meets exceptional circumstances,

The size of the proposed bunds.

 

The committee debated the application.

There were concerns relating to the impact on the residents and hedgerows for the next 7-10 years, the option to reduce the hours of operation was raised, balancing the lack of other local sites producing the same aggregate together with the impact on the local economy.

 

On balance the committee felt that they were not convinced that the exceptional circumstances (in accordance with paragraphs 176 and 177 of the NPPF) outweighed the impact to the AONB.  The need for the aggregate was not strong and not within the Dorset Council mineral plan.

 

It was proposed by Cllr David Tooke and seconded by Cllr David Bolwell that the application be refused on the grounds that exceptional circumstances had not been proven.

 

The committee adjourned from 12.12 – 12.30 in order for the Officers to put together some suitable wording for refusal of the application.

 

On returning the suggested reasons for refusal were read to the committee members, who agreed to delegate the final wording of the decision to the Head of Planning.

 

The suggested reasons for refusal were:

 

“The development is within the AONB where exceptional circumstances are required for development. Bearing in mind the landbank, the public interest in minimising HGV movements from other sources does not outweigh the harm identified to the AONB, contrary to paragraphs 176 and 177 of the NPPF”.

 

On being put to the vote the committee were minded to refuse the application.

 

The Head of Planning confirmed he had heard the whole of the debate and the application would be determined in line with the committee’s minded to decision.

 

Lunch Break 12;40 - 13;15.