Agenda item

Considered

The report of the Assistant Director of Planning – Community Development Services requesting Members to determine a planning application for extraction of sand and gravel from a new quarry and restoration of the site to agriculture and nature conservation using imported infill materials, together with the construction of a new site access road, site offices and weighbridge on land at Broach Road, Hensall.

The application was subject to two objections, with a third added and circulated to Members just prior to the meeting, having been raised in respect of the proposal on the grounds of a number of amenity and environmental concerns and was, therefore, reported to this 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.

Richard Kendall, a local resident objecting to the application, addressed the Committee highlighting the following:

• There had been 3 objections to the proposals from nearby properties
• He had bought the property in 1992 but his enjoyment of this had been affected by the quarrying adjacent
• He struggled to get in and out of the entrance to his property due to HGVs accessing the quarry
• The spoil heap created next to his property was affecting his amenity as the dwelling was located 2 metres below this, in a dip, and the natural light was diminished.
• Dust blew down from the spoil heap and affected his property and health.
• He enjoyed watching the wildlife in the area but this was being prevented by the adjacent works
• He required a dropped kerb putting in place on the opposite side of the property to ease the access problems he was encountering.

Sam Thistlethwaite representing the applicant, addressed the Committee highlighting the following:

• The sand and gravel to be extracted from the quarry were vital minerals for building in the area
• Land restoration would be undertaken in a phased scheme and would be sympathetic to the issues raised by the objectors
• It was considered that there were no unacceptable impacts on amenity from the proposals with planning conditions taking account of these.
• The conditions ensured that impacts upon on the surrounding area would be mitigated
• The shallow extraction process would limit the physical and hydrological impacts
• The process had been taking place previously and was clearly defined and closely monitored.
• Local employment would be supported through the application.

Members discussed the application and the following issues were highlighted:

• A Member asked whether the applicant was willing to address the issues raised by the objector during his address to the Committee. In response it was noted that moving the bund to a location further away from the property could affect the noise levels and be detrimental. It was also noted that the matter of undertaking work for an objector was not a matter for the Committee to consider but was an issue to be resolved personally between the objector and the applicant, as this had no bearing on the determination of the application.
• It was clarified that access routes to and from the quarry did not impact on nearby local communities.
• Further clarification was provided in relation to the proximity of the bund to the objector’s property and the location of the entrance driveway to that property.
• It was further emphasised that the issues raised by the objector were outside the consideration of the Committee, however, a number of Members disagreed as they considered that the residential amenity of the neighbour affected by the proposal was a planning consideration.
• An offer was submitted by the applicant to assist the objector with the provision of an alternative driveway by way of financial contribution but it was stated that this could not be included as part of the planning decision. It was emphasised that should Members wish to give further consideration to the issue of local amenity then deferral of the application would be the most appropriate course of action.

Resolved

That the application be DEFERRED for consideration at a subsequent meeting to allow further consideration to be given to local amenity issues.

Voting record

12 votes for.

1 against