Agenda item

Construction of a Leisure Centre and Ancillary Works.

Public Participation

Nathan McLoughlin (agent) spoke in support of the application.

Bastin Bloomfield (architect) spoke in support of the application.

 

Prior to this item being presented by the case officer, the Chairman highlighted that he had not seen any circulated leaflet regarding the leisure centre.

 

Russell Brown, as Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report which recommended that the application for the construction of a leisure centre and ancillary works, be approved, subject to conditions. The site was identified being located just across from County Hall and was a Wiltshire Council application, with the proposed development being described as a comprehensive leisure facility which was accessible and sustainable. Several slides (which were also available in supplement 2) were shown to the Committee which detailed the location, site plans, on-site parking provision, elevations, interior plans, highway works and a new signal controlled junction as well as several site photos.

 

The proximity of the River Biss, the position of County Hall and the site boundary with Asda were all identified from the slides, and within the site, Members were informed of the present state of the site, part of which was derelict following the demolition of the old Chapman’s building located alongside the River Biss.

 

The Committee was informed about the proposed design and siting of the leisure centre building which would front Bythesea Road and would have solar panels on the roof, and air source hear pumps, plus high specification insulation, and was designed with sustainability and energy conservation in mind.

 

The proposed scheme also comprised a comprehensive landscape treatment of the site with trees and shrubs throughout, which would enhance biodiversity. The car park would incorporate electric vehicle charging, disabled spaces, coach spaces and bicycle stands.

 

Active Travel principles were built into the scheme. Details of what the leisure centre would provide were given which included a café; 6 lane 25m swimming pool; spectator gallery for 130 people; a learner pool; changing village; fitness suites; fitness studios; cycle studio; a community meeting room and an adventure play area.

 

The new proposed 4-arm signalised junction on Bythesea Road was detailed along with pedestrian crossings, a new filter lane and additional upgrade works being planned for the Longfield gyratory.    

 

Members were also informed about the design for the building incorporating various different projections and overhangs and a mix of materials to break up massing and referenced local industrial heritage architecture. The Committee also heard that the design had been independently reviewed by the Design West review panel, emphasising the point that the leisure centre scheme had been carefully scrutinised.

 

The Committee was furthermore advised that the proposal adhered to Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS) policies. No statutory consultees had objected, and all the technical matters that had been identified during the assessment of the application, had been resolved.

 

The Committee also heard that the public response was broadly positive.

 

The Chairman also highlighted that there had been almost 1,000 consultation responses to the community engagement the Council’s project team and consultants had been involved with.

 

Members of the committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officer. Details were sought on the changes to the junction and it was confirmed that it would be a signalised junction with traffic lights and pedestrian crossing, which would help with active travel. There would also be an additional filter lane added to Bythesea Road on the north side and fronting the leisure centre to help cater for cars entering the site from the west.

 

It was also noted that the site was already a very well used car park, and that once operational, the use of the site would likely change with more visitors in the evenings. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the traffic lights would work together with those at the Longfield Gyratory.

 

Concerns were raised regarding the cycle friendliness of the scheme, and this was responded to by identifying there was sufficient land available along Bythesea Road should the Council wish to investigate the option of providing a dedicated cycle lane on the northside of Bythesea Road.  It was however made clear that that was not part of this application.

 

Cllr Jonathon Seed then queried the disabled car parking provision and referenced what had been observed at the Melksham Campus site following its completion whereby there were a lot of disabled parking spaces not being used, and Cllr Seed expressed a concern about the calculation data being used, when practical real-world assessments needed to take place. Following this observation, Cllr Seed announced he would request an informative be added to the proposal, should the application be approved, so that the disabled parking space provision be reviewed to ensure the on-site provision was justified. In response, the case officer confirmed that an informative could be added to cover this matter.

 

Cllr Seed then asked a further question as to whether there was enough seating for the pool spectator gallery to satisfy county standard competitions and it was highlighted that there was no swimming venue in Wiltshire which could be used for a county standard competition, which was recognised as a real shame. It was queried whether things could be redesigned internally so that this could be included, and it was requested that the design team present at the Committee answer this query when they spoke.  

 

Members further queried the parking arrangements recognising that council employees would no longer be able to park on the site, and there was mention within the report of a staff travel plan, and a question was asked if that had been completed. Members also asked if Wiltshire Council staff would be able to use the leisure centre car park on very busy days when the Wiltshire Council car park was full.

 

In response, officers explained that a study had been carried out on all the car parks which Wiltshire Council staff had access to in central Trowbridge, and it concluded that the deficit created by the loss of the East Wing car park could be met by the other existing car parks, although it was accepted that some would involve a longer walk to and from the office compared to the present arrangements.

 

Members also queried the fact that the leisure centre did not have a sports hall. However, in response to this point, the officer explained that the publicly accessible sports hall provision would remain at Clarendon School.

 

Nic Thomas, Director of Planning, then joined the meeting via a virtual stream link and explained that the Committee should assess the planning merits of the application and the issues relating to its finance was not a matter for the planning committee to consider.

 

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the committee as detailed above. Both public speakers were in support of the application, and both highlighted the evolution of the application and the considerable benefits of the scheme and how it adhered to policy.

 

In response to issues Members had raised, it was noted that a cycle lane could be provided on the northern side of the site, facilitating an enhanced cyclist facility but that would be something for the Council to advance with separate to this application.

 

In response to the request made by Cllr Seed, the Committee heard that the swimming club had been consulted prior to the detailed design stage in terms of what they would like, and they identified 130 spectator seats as being enough. The project team however agreed that the type of seating to be provided could be looked at again post decision to try and maximise seating should it be so desired. In response to the county standard pool reference, the Committee was informed that they had 8 lanes, and not 6 as proposed and the designed scheme was not informed on delivering a pool to be large enough to host county competitions.

 

At the Chairman’s invitation, Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Libraries spoke regarding the application, and he openly expressed being in support of the application and agreed that disabled parking could be reviewed following the centre being implemented.

 

The Committee also heard that the scheme was driven by public health advice; and would boost town centre footfall; that it had been assessed against the Council’s business plan; had been extensively consulted upon and would provide a great community asset. There would be significant benefits, and the scheme had been thoroughly thought through.

 

The local division Member, Cllr Stewart Palmen (Trowbridge Central Division) stated that he was really pleased to see that things had progressed to this stage, and it would be excellent for Trowbridge. Cllr Palmen then moved the officer recommendation to approve with conditions, which was seconded by Cllr Ernie Clark.  

 

A debate followed where Members highlighted that there were no statutory consultee objection to the scheme and that Members needed to assess the application before them and not consider what they would like.

 

Cllr Seed stated that he would like to see an informative added requiring the disabled car parking provision to be looked at again. Thereafter there was some debate on what exactly was being requested, following some clarity being asked for by Kenny Green, and following this, Members settled on an informative being added to require the Council to review the on-site disabled parking provision within 12 months of the centre coming into use. This was accepted as a friendly amendment by the mover and seconder of the motion.

 

Following a vote it was,

   

Resolved:

 

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

 

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. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

 

Arboricultural Impact Assessment (Tyler Grange, 4th September 2024), Statutory Biodiversity Metric completed by Tyler Grange (Vicky King-Cline) 4th September 2024, Construction Environmental Management Plan (Tyler Grange, 19th August, 2024), Ecological Impact Assessment (Tyler Grange, 4th September, 2024), Drawing Nos. 16262_TSS01, 16262_P02          received on 6^th September 2024

 

Application Forms, External Services, External Lighting. Drawing. No. 31436-HYD-ZZ-ZZ-DR-E-9000. Rev 01. (Hydrock, 03/09/2024), Drawing Nos. 31436-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7000 Rev P03, 31436-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7010 Rev. P03, 31436-HYD-ZZ-ZZ-DR-E-9001 Rev. P01, 31436-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7200-P01, 31436-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7011 Rev P03, 31436-HYD-ZZ-ZZ-DR-E-9000 Rev. P01, 31436-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7201-P02, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-P0401-A3-C02, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-P0002-A3-C01, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-P0001-A3-C01, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-F0008-S2-C01, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-P2300-A3-C02  received on 10^th September 2024

 

Drawing Nos. TLC-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7410 P01, SoP Plan - received on 4^th November 2024

 

Construction Phase Plan (Issue 3) – received on 7^th November 2024

 

Trowbridge Leisure Centre Flood Risk Assessment, Hydrock now Stantec, dated 15/11/2024, doc ref: 31436-HYD-XX-XX-RP-WENV-0001, Landscape Masterplan. Drwg.no. RL.XX.ZZ.DR.L. Rev. C03 (Roberts Limbrick, 10.09.24), Drawing Nos. 11120_P8001-C03, 11120-RL-XX-ZZ-DR-A-P2201-A3-C03, 11120-RL-XX-01-DR-A-P2102-A3-C03, 11120-RL-XX-01-DR-A-P2100-A3-C03, 11120-RL-XX-01-DR-A-P2101-A3-C03, 11120-RL-00-ZZ-DR-A-P2001-A3-C02 - received on 15^th November 2024

 

Document 16262_R03b_AMS_19112024_RM_WS (including drawings) - received on 19^th November 2024

 

Drawing Nos. TLC-HYD-00-ZZ-DR-C-7001 P04 - received on 22^nd November 2024

 

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

Pre-commencement Conditions

 

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN

 

3. Prior to the commencement of the hereby approved development a Biodiversity Gain Plan must be submitted to and be approved by the Local Planning Authority demonstrating the 10% biodiversity net gain would be achieved, including the details of any secured off-site credits.

 

REASON: To ensure the government target for biodiversity net gain is achieved.

 

RETAINED TREES AND HEDGING

 

4. Prior to any demolition, site clearance or development on site, and prior to any equipment, machinery or materials being brought on to site for the purpose of the hereby approved development, the mitigation measures set out in the approved Tree Protection Plan (drawing No. 16262_P04 Rev. B) shall be fully implemented to the area of works, and;

 

The protective fencing shall be erected to the construction site where works are being carried out in accordance with the approved details. The protective fencing shall remain in place for the period of the construction works and until all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed from the area of the site where works are being carried out. Such fencing shall not be removed or breached during construction operations.

 

No retained trees shall be cut down, uprooted or destroyed, nor shall any retained trees be topped or lopped other than in accordance with the approved plans and particulars unless agreed otherwise in writing. Any topping or lopping approval shall be carried out in accordance British Standard 3998: 2010 “Tree Work – Recommendations” or arboricultural techniques where it can be demonstrated to be in the interest of good arboricultural practise.

 

If any retained tree is removed, uprooted, destroyed or dies, another tree shall be planted at the same place unless agreed otherwise in writing, at a size and species and planted at such time, that must be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

No fires shall be lit within 15 metres of the furthest extent of the canopy of any retained trees or hedgerows or adjoining land and no concrete, oil, cement, bitumen or other chemicals shall be mixed or stored within 10 metres of the trunk of any tree or group of trees to be retained on the site or adjoining land.

 

[In this condition “retained tree” means an existing tree which is to be retained in accordance with the approved plans and particulars; and paragraphs above shall have effect until the expiration of five years from the first occupation or the completion of the development, whichever is the later].

 

REASON: To ensure the retention of trees on the site in the interests of visual amenity and biodiversity.

 

Post Slab level Commencement Conditions

 

MATERIALS

 

5. No development shall proceed above slab level until the exact details and samples of the materials to be used for the external walls and roofs have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: The matter is required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before development commences in order that the development is undertaken in an acceptable manner, in the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the area.

 

ACOUSTIC IMPACTS

 

6. No development shall proceed above slab level until an assessment of the acoustic impacts arising from the operation of all mechanical plant associated with the development including condensers, ventilation systems and air source heat pumps shall be undertaken in accordance with BS 4142: 2014+A1:2019. The assessment shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority together with a scheme of attenuation measures to demonstrate the rated level of noise shall be: 5dB below background and is protective of local amenity. 

 

Background levels are to be taken as detailed in Table 4 of the Hydrock Environmental Noise Assessment (doc ref 31436-HYD-XX-XX-RP-AC- 0002) dated 30th August 2024.

 

The scheme shall be submitted to and been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. A post installation noise assessment shall be carried out within 3 months of commissioned plant being operational within the development to confirm compliance with the noise criteria and additional steps required to achieve compliance shall be taken, as necessary. The details as approved shall be implemented prior to occupation of the development and thereafter be permanently retained.

 

REASON: WCS Core Policy 57, Ensuring high design and place shaping such that appropriate levels of amenity are achievable.

 

LEMP

 

7. No development shall proceed above slab level until a Landscape and Ecology Management Plan (LEMP) has been prepared in accordance with the Statutory Biodiversity Metric completed by Tyler Grange (Vicky King-Cline) 4th September 2024 (or as per a revised and approved version of this document) and submitted to and been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

The LEMP shall include long term objectives and targets, management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for each ecological feature within the development, together with a mechanism for monitoring success of the management prescriptions, incorporating review and necessary adaptive management in order to attain targets.

The LEMP shall also include details of the legal and funding mechanism(s) by which long-term implementation of the plan will be secured. The LEMP shall be implemented in full and for the lifetime of the development in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: To ensure the long-term management of landscape and ecological features retained and created by the development, for the benefit of visual amenity and biodiversity for the lifetime of the scheme.

 

DRAINAGE

 

8. No development shall proceed above slab level until details of the following have been submitted to, and been approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority in relation to the surface water drainage strategy:

 

a) The applicant has stated flows from the western catchment will be restricted to greenfield rates, while the eastern catchment will not be restricted, just treated. To mitigate the eastern catchment of the development being detrimental in the future accounting for climate change, the applicant must ensure the eastern catchment will attenuate the effects of climate change.

 

b) The applicant must provide detailed cross and long section drawings of each proposed SuDS intervention, including the attenuation tank, permeable paving, rain garden, tree pits, swales, to ensure they are designed appropriately, and in line with the Ciria C753 (SuDS Manual).

 

c) Observing Drainage Layout – Sheet 2, as these SuDS interventions are included in water quality calculations and the drainage calculations, the applicant must confirm that SuDS interventions will be proposed as per submitted plans, or if not, resubmit all drainage and water quality calculations omitting SuDS, and provide revised surface water drainage strategy details in accordance with Wiltshire Council policy.

 

d) The applicant must provide details of how, in an extreme rainfall event, the surcharging from the culverted watercourse, or from a 1-in-100 year storm, will be managed safely.

 

e) The applicant must provide a Flood Evacuation Plan to demonstrate how safe egress and access to the building can be maintained during such an event.

 

REASON: To mitigate any impact from the development onto flooding and drainage infrastructure.

 

SWIFT BOXES

 

9. No development shall proceed above slab level until details of the swift boxes, that shall be incorporated into the north-west elevation of the building, have been submitted to, and been approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority.  The boxes shall be installed in accordance with the approved plans and details.

 

REASON: In order to support the local swift population.

 

Pre-Occupation Condition Trigger

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY

 

10. The development shall not be brought into operational use until final details of the low-carbon and renewable energy technologies (such as air source heat pumps and roof-mounted solar PV) have been submitted to and been approved in writing by the local planning authority. Details shall include, but not necessarily be limited to location, number, dimensions and manufacturer’s details. Thereafter, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: In order to define the terms of the permission and in order to support and encourage sustainable construction in accordance with WCS policies CP41, CP55 and CP57.?

 

LANDSCAPING

 

11. All soft landscaping comprised in the approved details of landscaping (drawing No. P8001 Rev. C03 and the Arboricultural Method Statement) shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the building or the completion of the development whichever is the sooner; All shrubs, trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or plants which die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority. All hard landscaping shall also be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of any part of the development or in accordance with a programme to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 

REASON: To ensure a satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features

 

EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

 

12. The development shall not be brought into operational use until the electric vehicle charging infrastructure has been provided and made available for use in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: To ensure that the objectives of sustainable development set out in WCS policies CP41, CP55, CP57 and CP60 are achieved.?

 

HIGHWAYS

 

13. The development shall not be brought into operational use until the on-site access, turning areas and parking spaces (112), as well as the cycle parking facilities, have been completed in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans. Thereafter, the areas shall be maintained for those purposes for the lifetime of the development.

 

REASON: In the interests of highway safety.

 

CYCLING

 

14. The development shall not be brought into operational use until the cycle parking facilities shown on the approved plans have been provided in full and made available for use. Thereafter, the cycle parking facilities shall be retained for use in accordance with the approved details for the lifetime of the development.

 

REASON: To ensure that satisfactory facilities for the parking of cycles are provided and to encourage travel by means other than the private car in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development set out in WCS policies CP41, CP55, CP57 and CP60.?

 

WATER & WASTE CONNECTIONS

 

15. The development shall not be brought into use until the associated connections to the public water and sewer infrastructure have been completed following an agreement being reached with Wessex Water as the statutory undertaker.

REASON: To ensure that the development is provided with a satisfactory water and waste drainage connections.

 

Compliance Conditions

 

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONDITION

 

16. The Hydrock document Sustainability Statement and Energy Strategy (ref. 31436-HYD-XX-ZZ-RP-ME-0002 - P02) explaining the low-carbon approach of the scheme taken in the technical design stages shall be complied with and, where necessary, updated/finalised.

 

This shall include but not necessarily be limited to consideration of operational carbon, embodied carbon, climate change adaptation and sustainable transport. Thereafter, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details.

 

Any update to this document shall be submitted to the local planning authority for approval in writing.

 

REASON: To ensure that the objectives of sustainable development set out in WCS policies CP41, CP55, CP57 and CP60 are achieved.

TRAVEL PLAN

 

17. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in strict accordance with the following documents:

 

Framework Travel Plan (Document Ref. 240830/SK22386/FTP01(-02)) 4th September 2024.

 

REASON: To protect and maintain highway safety and to encourage sustainable travel modes.

 

HIGHWAYS AND WATER

 

18. Notwithstanding the submitted details, the proposed development shall not be brought into use until means/works have been implemented to avoid private water from entering the highway.

 

REASON: To ensure that the highway is not inundated with private water.

 

HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION

 

19. During the construction phase no machinery shall be operated, no process shall be carried out and no delivery shall be taken or dispatched from the site outside of the following hours; Mon-Fri 07:30 to 18:00 (no machinery to be used prior to 08:00), Saturday 08:00 to 13:00, nor anytime on Sundays or public holidays.

 

REASON: In the interest of neighbouring amenity

 

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

 

20. The approved Construction Phase Plan shall be implemented on site and fully adhered to at all times unless agreed otherwise in writing.

 

REASON: Core policy 57, Ensuring high design and place shaping such that appropriate levels of amenity are achievable.

 

CONTAMINATION

 

21. The Hydrock document Phase 2 Ground Investigation Report (Ref. 31436-HYD-XX-XX-RP-GE-1001-S02-P01) shall be complied with in full.  Any contamination that is found during the course of construction of the development hereby permitted that was not previously identified shall be reported immediately to the local planning authority. Development on the part of the site affected shall be suspended until a risk assessment has been carried out and submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Where unacceptable risks are found, the development [or relevant phase of development] shall not resume or continue until remediation and verification schemes have been carried out in accordance with details that shall first have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The remediation and verification report(s) shall include results of sampling and monitoring carried out in accordance with the approved verification plan to demonstrate that the site remediation criteria have been met.

 

REASON: WCS Core Policy 56, To reduce the risks associated with land contamination and to ensure that the development does not contribute to, and is not put at unacceptable risk from or adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of water pollution in line with paragraph 180 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

LIGHTING

 

22. No external lighting shall be installed on site until plans showing the type of light appliance, the height and position of fitting, lamp post details, illumination levels and light spillage have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The plans will be in accordance with the appropriate Environmental Zone standards set out by the Institute of Lighting Engineers in their publication GN01/21, “Guidance for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light” (ILP, 2021), and Guidance note GN08/23 “Bats and artificial lighting at night” (ILP, 2023), issued by the Bat Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting Professionals.

 

Where light spill has the potential to impact bat habitat, a lighting impact assessment must be submitted and approved in writing to demonstrate the requirements of section 8.3 of the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy (adopted February 2020) are met.

 

The approved lighting shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the approved details and no additional external lighting shall be installed.

 

This condition would only be discharged when a post-development lighting survey conducted in accordance with section 8.3.4 of the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority demonstrating compliance with the approved lighting plans, having implemented and retested any necessary remedial measures.

 

REASON: In the interests of the amenities of the area, to minimise unnecessary light spillage above and outside the development site and to ensure lighting meets the requirements of the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy.

 

BREEAM

 

23. The development hereby permitted shall achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method) rating of ‘Excellent’. Within 12 months of the development hereby approved first being brought into use a BREEAM Certificate certifying that ‘Excellent’ status has been achieved shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority unless agreed otherwise in writing.

REASON: In the interests of the conservation of energy resources.

 

TREE PLANTING RESTRICTION

 

24. No new tree planting within 8 metres of the main river (River Biss).

 

REASON: To allow ease of access to the River Biss for maintenance.

 

OIL AND PETROL SEPARATORS

 

25. Oil and Petrol separators or appropriately approved pollution prevention measures should be applied to any drainage scheme to minimise risk of pollution from surface water.

 

REASON: To prevent pollution of the water environment in line with paragraph 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

 

Planning Informatives:

 

Highways informative:

 

The proposal may require a separate s278 legal agreement to secure all the associated highway works.  The applicant would normally be required to enter into a S.278 Highways Agreement for the proposed highway works. However, as the developer in this case is Wiltshire Council, discussions will need to be held internally about how these works will be secured.

 

Drainage informatives:

 

In addition, a separate Land Drainage Consent is required for the discharge into an ordinary watercourse and works within an ordinary watercourse. The proposal also requires an agreement to be reached with Wessex Water for a foul water discharge rate from the site.

 

The applicant should also be mindful of the Wiltshire Council Flood Evacuation Guidance: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/civil-emergencies-planning-for-anemergency-plan

 

EA Informatives:

 

Flood risk:

This development has been proposed within an area identified as being at risk of flooding and includes the provision of car parking. The applicant should be aware that vehicles can start to float in flood depths of less than 60cm – less if it is fast-flowing. The applicant must satisfy themselves that any relevant building will be constructed in such a way that vehicles floating or displaced as a result of flooding, would not jeopardise its structural stability.

 

In addition, the applicant should ensure that any sensitive infrastructure such as gas and water pipes or electrical cabling are located and designed to withstand the potential impacts of floating or displaced vehicles.

 

Movement of waste off-site:

The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 for dealing with waste materials are applicable to any off-site movements of wastes.

 

The code of practice applies to you if you produce, carry, keep, dispose of, treat, import or have control of waste in England or Wales.

 

The law requires anyone dealing with waste to keep it safe and make sure it’s dealt with responsibly and only given to businesses authorised to take it. The code of practice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government////_data//?/waste-duty-care-code-practice-2016.pdf

 

If the applicant needs to register as a carrier of waste, please follow the instructions here: https://www.gov.uk/register-as-a-waste-carrier-broker-or-dealer-wales

 

If the applicant needs flood risk advice or guidance please contact your local Environment Agency office.

 

Characterisation and classification of waste:

In order to meet the applicant’s objectives for the waste hierarchy and obligations under the duty of care, it is important that waste is properly classified. Some waste (e.g. wood and wood based products) may be either a hazardous or non-hazardous waste dependent upon whether or not they have had preservative treatments.

 

Proper classification of the waste both ensures compliance and enables the correct onward handling and treatment to be applied. In the case of treated wood, it may require high temperature incineration in a directive compliant facility. More information on this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-classify-different-types-of-waste

 

Waste hierarchy:

The developer must apply the waste hierarchy as a priority order of prevention, re-use, recycling before considering other recovery or disposal options. Government guidance on the waste hierarchy in England can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69403/pb13530-waste-hierarchy-guidance.pdf

 

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) are no longer a legal requirement, however, in terms of meeting the objectives of the waste hierarchy and your duty of care, they are a useful tool and considered to be best practice.

 

Where applicable the Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP) principles should be followed. If using this code of practice send a copy of their statement and any relevant documents to Wessex.Waste@environment-agency.gov.uk 

 

Parking informative:

 

As a further informative, within 12 months of the development hereby approved being brought into use, the respective owner of the site is encouraged to undertake an on-site car parking review with specific reference to the use of the identified number and location of the disabled parking spaces associated to the said leisure centre, and to make any reasonable adjustment should there be no requirement or regular take-up of the full disabled parking provision.

 

The Chairman adjourned the meeting for a comfort break, with the Committee to reconvene in approximately 10 minutes.

 

The Committee reconvened at 12.25pm.