Agenda item

To consider Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council's consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility and reconfiguration of the site at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley, north of Bournemouth.

The committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer (Minerals and Waste) which sought support for the Dorset Council response to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council regarding the planning application consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility, with reconfiguration of the site, at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley.

The committee considered the proposed response and points were discussed in the following areas:

·            Detail provided of the further information that the council was seeking

·            The response was based on the information currently available.  It was hoped that further consultation would be undertaken by BCP Council when additional information was available

·            It was thought that European regulations and law would still be in place for energy recovery facilities.  In addition, the facility would be regulated by the Environment Agency

·            Concern around the ecological impact was noted and assurance sought that human health issues had been fully considered and addressed.  Further information would be provided following the meeting.

It was proposed by B Ridout seconded by S Jespersen

‘Minded to’ Decision

That Dorset Council responds to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Councill regarding the planning application consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility, with reconfiguration of the site, at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley, as per the response attached at Appendix 3 to the report, which concludes that:

‘The Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan identifies a clear need for non-hazardous waste management capacity. The application provides for 60,000tpa of residual waste management capacity, making a contribution towards this need. The proposal is on a site allocated in the Waste Plan and generally in principle therefore can be considered acceptable.

However, the Waste Plan makes clear that the proposals on the allocated site will only be acceptable if it can be demonstrated that there will be no adverse effects on the integrity of European sites. The application as it stands does not provide sufficient information with regards to possible effects on European sites and therefore does not fully accord with the allocation and other policies in the Waste Plan.

The detail of the application is also considered insufficient with regards to landscape impacts and aerodrome safeguarding.

As a result, Dorset Council is not satisfied that the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment carried out for the proposed development provides robust evidence that all impacts, including impacts on Dorset’s environment and interests, have been identified and can and will be appropriately mitigated. Therefore Dorset Council objects to the detail of the proposed development, recommends that further information is sought as outlined in this response and asks Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to ensure that further robust assessment is undertaken, and consulted on, to ensure impacts are properly understood and appropriately mitigated. Dorset Council considers that as it stands it is not possible to determine that the proposal is in accordance with the adopted Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan.’

The Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ decision, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee.