Agenda item

Erection of an acoustic barrier with access and ancillary works.

(This application is a revised version of 13/00869/FUL).

Erection of an acoustic barrier with access and ancillary works.  (This application is a revised version of 13/00869/FUL).

A site visit had been held on Saturday 13 June 2015 which had been attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Angell, Hill, Mrs Ingham, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, Peacey, Ms Phillips and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• The objection of Binfield Parish Council, which had recommended refusal for the following reasons:

- There would be too many movements of heavy duty lorries resulting in unacceptable increase in noise levels

- It is more about commercial tipping than noise abatement.

- Debris is likely to be a hazard on countryside roads.

- Should the application proceed, vehicle movements should only be allowed during working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

• An objection from Bray Parish Council on the grounds of increased vehicle movements through Holyport on the A330 Ascot Road and 9 objections to the proposal, summarised as follows:

- Proposal would result in debris on the highway resulting in damage to vehicles.

- M4 8 Lane smart Motorway improvements proposes new low noise road surface throughout reducing the need for the bund.

- Severe consequences for other users of Howe Lane (i.e. dog walkers, horse riders)

- Visibility splays could be improved by cutting back vegetation- is this contrary to Green Belt Policy?

- Bund would be harmful to the visual amenity of the Green Belt.

- Lorries crossing the narrow bridge on Howe Lane, to the north of the site, would be chaos and all traffic should be directed towards Binfield.

- Proposal would result in the noise of the motorway being deflected towards other surrounding properties.

- Other acoustic treatments available which would not necessitate the large number of vehicle movements.

- Hours of operation would be detrimental to the nearby occupiers.

- Transport report does not detail how HGV's will access Howe Lane.

- Proposal is unacceptable due to noise and environmental pollution caused by the vehicular movements.

RESOLVED that:

(1) the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:-

01.     The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.   

02.     The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans and details received by the Local Planning Authority on 09.03.15:    

          Location plan (scale 1:1500), Site plan (scale 1:5000), 0856/1464/01C (redesigned screening bund showing three cross sections)    

03.     No development shall take place until details of the proposed construction of the new haul road, including details of how the junction with Mere Lane shall be managed, have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The haul road shall then be implemented in accordance with the approved details.   

04.     Prior to the commencement of development a scheme for the cleaning of wheels of the construction vehicles, to prevent the transportation of mud, stones, and debris from the site onto the public highway, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall then be implemented in accordance with the approved detail and shall not be removed until the proposed bund is constructed.        

05.     The development shall not be begun until a scheme depicting soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include a 3 year post planting maintenance schedule.   

          All planting comprised in the soft landscaping works shall be carried out and completed in full accordance with the approved scheme, which will include a phasing schedule.   As a minimum, the quality of all soft landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with British Standard 4428:1989 'Code Of practice For General Landscape Operations' or any subsequent revision. All trees and other plants included within the approved details shall be healthy, well formed specimens of a minimum quality that is compatible with British Standard 3936:1992 (Part 1) 'Specifications For Trees & Shrubs' and British Standard 4043 (where applicable) or any subsequent revision.  Any trees or other plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development, die, are removed, uprooted, are significantly damaged, become diseased or deformed, shall be replaced during the nearest planting season (1st October to 31st March inclusive) with others of the same size, species and quality as approved.

06.     No site clearance shall take place during the main bird-nesting period of 1st March to 31st August inclusive, unless a scheme to minimise the impact on nesting birds during the construction of the development has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. This shall be implemented as approved.         

07.     The development shall not be begun until a scheme for the provision of biodiversity enhancements (e.g. reptile refugia, nest boxes etc), including a plan or drawing showing the location of these enhancements, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be performed, observed and complied with.          

08.     The development (including site clearance and demolition) shall not begin until a scheme to mitigate the impact of the development on reptiles has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include details of:           

               o measures to avoid harm to reptiles

               o features provided to mitigate the loss of habitat (e.g. hibernacula)

               o habitat enhancements (not mitigation)       

               o on-going management of new features/habitat      

          The mitigation scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.          

09.     The developer shall notify the LPA in writing within 21 days of:

          i    the commencement of works on site            

          ii    the date on which waste is imported for construction of the acoustic bund 

          Within 2 years of the notice period provided to the LPA under part ii, the construction of the acoustic bund authorised by this permission shall cease, and the haul road be removed and the land over which it extended returned to its former condition.          

(2) Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning to frame an additional condition limiting the hours of operation of vehicle movements to and from the site to those proposed by the applicant.