Agenda and minutes
PDF 144 KBVenue: Council Chamber - Council Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER. View directions
Contact: Stuart Figini
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies for Absence Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
|
|
Minutes of the Previous Meeting Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2012 were presented, and it was,
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2012 be approved as a true and correct record. |
|
|
Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.
Minutes: Cllr Peter Fuller and Cllr John Knight declared non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 - Construction of a new sludge digestion facility at Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Station, Trowle, Trowbridge as members of Trowbridge Town Council, where the application had been previously considered by the Town Council Development Control Committee. They both declared that they would consider the application on its merits and debate and vote with an open mind. |
|
|
Chairman's Announcements Minutes: There were no Chairman’s announcements. |
|
|
Public Participation and Councillors' Questions The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.
Statements
Members of the public who wish to speak either in favour or against an application or any other item on this agenda are asked to register in person no later than 10.20am on the day of the meeting.
The Chairman will allow up to 3 speakers in favour and up to 3 speakers against an application and up to 3 speakers on any other item on this agenda. Each speaker will be given up to 3 minutes and invited to speak immediately prior to the item being considered. The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are detailed in the Council’s Planning Code of Good Practice.
Questions
To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution which excludes, in particular, questions on non-determined planning applications. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Director of Resources) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 6 February 2013. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.
Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.
Minutes: The Committee noted the rules on public participation and the manner in which the meeting would be held.
Members of the public addressed the Committee as set out in Minute number 6, as detailed below.
There were no questions received from members of the public or members of the Council. |
|
|
Application ref: W/12/01818/WCM - Construction of a new sludge digestion facility at Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Station, Trowle, Trowbridge A report by the case officer is attached. Supporting documents: Minutes: Public Participation • Mark Lloyds, Wessex Water, spoke in support of the application
The Planning Officer introduced the report which recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions. He explained that the planning application was for the construction of a new Sludge Treatment Station at Trowle, Trowbridge.
Members of the Committee were informed that that the existing sludge treatment infrastructure at the Trowbridge Works would not have the capacity to deal with the anticipated future growth of the town and its surroundings. However, the proposal would have the capacity to accommodate this growth. It was noted that the heat generated from the facility would be fed back into the anaerobic digestion process and the electricity produced will meet the energy needs of the works, with surplus energy being fed into the national grid. The end product from the digested sludge would be used as an agricultural fertiliser.
Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee with their views, as detailed above.
The Local Members, Councillors Helen Osborn and Jeff Osborn then spoke to the application. In particular the Councillors raised issues relating to the scale of development, design, bulk height and general appearance, environmental/highway impact and communication issues. It was noted that the major concern related to the visual impact upon the surrounding area and the need for appropriate screening.
The Committee then considered the application and debated a number of issues. The major concern expressed was about the height of the containers, 23.6m high and the need for appropriate screening to reduce the visual impact upon the residents of Bradford Road and Langford Road.
In order to achieve a suitable visual screen it was suggested that further discussions be undertaken between the Council and the applicant about the type of trees to be planted, so that larger specimens could be planted in the first planting season of 2013.
Resolved:
That the grant of planning permission be deferred and delegated to the Service Director, Development Services following negotiations to secure an amended landscaping plan showing a number of larger trees to be planted and to ensure the species are suitable for this location. Once approved the landscaping scheme to be implemented in this planting season if practical.
The new sludge digestion facility will provide increased sludge treatment capacity essential to meet the regulatory obligations of the sewage treatment statutory undertaker. The facility will provide additional sustainability benefits in terms of diverting waste from landfill and harnessing a source of renewable energy. The essential need for the development and the sustainability benefits are considered sufficient to outweigh any visual impact of the proposal.
Subject to the following conditions (to be amended to reflect any changes to the plan reference for the agreed planting scheme):
1. The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years from the date on which this permission is granted. Written notification of the date of commencement shall be sent to ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |