Agenda item

Public Participation:

·         Mr John Willcock spoke in objection to the application.

·         Mr John Hill spoke in objection to the application.

·         Mr Peter Slade spoke in objection to the application.

·         Mr Richards, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

·         Mr Steven Dalley-Smith, agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Area Team leader (Central Hub West) introduced the report which recommended approval and in doing so explained that the application had been submitted to comply with Environmental Regulations (Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Regulations) which would come into effect in October 2012.

He pointed out that Environmental Health had withdrawn their objection following the information received regarding the use of Aerocover (a lightweight polymer coated aggregate which covers the material within the store).

In response to technical questions asked the following was clarified:

·         The application was sited in Broughton Gifford Parish.

·         There would be no increase of traffic as there would be no increase of material brought to the site.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to speak as detailed above.

Cllr Mark Griffiths, Unitary Councillor for Melksham Without North Division, welcomed the opportunity for the application to be considered in a meeting open to the public, where both objectors and supporters would be able to express their views.

During the ensuing debate members of the committee recognised that the slurry store with the Aerocover and the fact that the slurry would be injected into the soil through plastic tubes rather than spread would be environmentally beneficial and probably an improvement for neighbouring dwellings.

It was pointed out that if any of the neighbouring dwellings felt that there were any unacceptable problems, for example smell or fly/vermin infestation, once the slurry store was in place they could have these addressed by the Environmental Agency or Environment Health.

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED.

For the following reasons:

The proposed development conforms to the Development Plan and there are no objections to it on planning grounds.

Subject to the following conditions:

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

          REASON:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2       No development shall commence on site until the access is formed at right angles to the highway and the first five metres of the access, measured from the edge of the carriageway, has been splayed, consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). The access shall be maintained as such thereafter.

          REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

3       No development shall commence on site until visibility splays have been provided between the edge of the carriageway and a line extending from a point 3 metres back from the edge of the carriageway, measured along the centre line of the access, to the points on the edge of the carriageway 90 metres to the north and south; from the centre of the access.   Such splays shall thereafter be permanently maintained free from obstruction to vision above a height 1.2 metres above the level of the adjacent carriageway.

          REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

4       The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans and documents:

          432.1 A received on 15 September 2011

          432.5 received on 31 August 2011

          Aerocover by Biotec Ltd received on 20 April 2012

          REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans that have been judged to be acceptable by the local planning authority.

Informative:

The proposed development must comply with the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations 2010 (SSAFO). These regulations aim to prevent water pollution from stores of silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil. They set out requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of new, substantially reconstructed or substantially enlarged facilities for storing these substances. Storage facilities should be sited at least 10 metres from inland freshwater or coastal water and have a 20-year life expectancy. The applicant must notify the Environment Agency in writing about any new, substantially enlarged or substantially reconstructed system at least 14 days before it is first used.

Further information on the regulation can be viewed at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/118798.aspx