Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Cattanach, Hannah Gostlow, John McCartney and Bob Packham. Cllr George Jabbour substituted for Cllr John Mann.

That the minutes of the meeting of Strategic Planning Committee, held on 11 March 2025, be confirmed by Members and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were none.

Considered

The report of the Assistant Director of Planning – Community Development Services requesting Members to determine a planning application for the removal of condition No.7 of Planning Permission Ref. C8/2009/1066/CPO to allow blasting in the southern extension area on land to the south of existing quarry, Jackdaw Crag Quarry, Moor Lane,

Sutton, Tadcaster, LS24 9BE.

This application received objections, primarily on the grounds of disturbance to amenity due to blasting, and therefore was reported to the Committee for determination.

The Planning Officer presented the Committee report highlighting the proposal; context to the application; site location, outline and description; details regarding the changes to the conditions; and the planning policy considerations. The Officer recommendation was highlighted.

The Planning Officer raised that two objections had been received since the publication of the report and these were summarised as below.

·        A query relating to a typographical error. The Planning Officer confirmed that the word ‘object’ in paragraph 2.4 should not be in italics.

·        A query regarding the frequency of blasts. The Planning Officer confirmed that at paragraph 10.45 of the report, it is stated that there would be ‘at most five blasts every month, with on average one blast a week’.

·        A concern related to consultation with neighbours. The Planning Officers informed Members that neighbour consultation had been undertaken, despite there being no statutory requirement for consultation on conditions.

·        A concern regarding the impact of blasting on livestock. The Planning Officer confirmed that the impact on livestock was considered minimal with the proposed conditions.

·        A concern regarding the impact of blasting on the aquifer. The Planning Officer highlighted that the report covered the impact on the aquifer, concluding that there would be no significant issues from blasting.

Mr Peter Hunt, a neighbouring objector, addressed the Committee and raised the following points.

·        That when the application had been reviewed by the Secretary for State, it was made clear that blasting with explosives would not take place. Mr Hunt questioned what had changed since then.

·        Whether blasting, rather than other methods of extraction, was necessary for accessing the remaining material. Mr Hunt queried how the applicant had managed to operate without blasting.

·        Concerns that damage would be done to nearby properties and that livestock would be negatively impacted.

·        Concerns regarding increased traffic movements were raised.

The agent for the applicant, Alistair Hoyle, addressed the Committee highlighting the following.

·        That hard or consolidated rock required blasting, rather than other methods of extraction, and that without it there would be an impact on site operations and all permitted limestone reserves may not be extracted.

·        That blasting would only be done when necessary, would be infrequent and that seven days prior to carrying out a blast, details would be provided to the parish council and the closest residents.

·        That aside from the use of blasting to extract the rock, there would be no change to how the quarry operates.

·        Details regarding the assessment of vibrations, noise and air quality were provided.

Members asked Officers to clarify the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were none.

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 10.00am.

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 10.00am.