Issue - meetings

(1)               Change of use of the materials recycling facility which is the subject of planning permission reference 10/00361/CM to add biodrying and gasification waste treatment technologies and associated power generation together with the extension of the operational life of the materials recycling facility – Application 11/00015/CM

(2)     To continue development of non hazardous landfilling operations without complying with conditions of planning permission 00/01480/CM (as varied by appeal reference APP/U3100/A/09/2117987/NWF) relating to phasing of landfilling and restoration, life of the site, restoration and aftercare schemes and tipping levels – Application 11/00026/CM

Report by Assistant Director of Environment & Economy – Growth & Infrastructure (PN5)

These applications are to (1) add gasification plant to the MRF permission to process more waste and (2) continue with landfilling operations at Finmere quarry without complying with conditions related to an end date for filling, changes to phasing of tipping and restoration and assessment of pre-settlement levels. The gasification plant would process wastes that would otherwise be landfilled so reducing the amount of waste going to landfill by half. It is proposed to end both the MRF and landfill in 2035 rather than  the currently permitted date of  2020 to cope with the reduction in landfill material. It is proposed to change the phasing so that the edge of the site closest to Finmere village will be landfilled and restored first in order to reduce the visual and other impacts of the remaining tipping so for most of the site’s life the developments would not impact on the village unacceptably.  The proposals are, therefore, acceptable.

The report outlines the consultation responses received, comments from third parties, relevant Development Plan and other policies and key considerations for the Committee to take account in determining the application together with the views and recommendation of the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Growth & Infrastructure are also included.   

It is RECOMMENDED that::

(a)                    subject to a legal agreement requiring restoration payments and operation of a hinterland that planning permission be granted for Application (1) (11/00015/CM (MRF) ) subject to conditions to be determined by the Deputy Director for Environment Growth and Infrastructure the heads of which are set out in Annex 3 to the report PN5; and

(b)                    subject to a legal agreement requiring early application for diverting bridleway 4, restoration payments and operation of a hinterland that planning permission be granted for Application (2) (11/00026/CM (Landfill)) subject to the condition changes proposed in the application as set out in Annex 1 to the report PN5 (with the exception of condition 4), the modified condition 4 and any other conditions to be determined by the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy - Growth and Infrastructure but to include the heads of which are set out in Annex 3 to the report PN%.

Change of use of the materials recycling facility which is the subject of planning permission reference 10/00361/CM to add biodrying and gasification waste treatment technologies and associated power generation together with the extension of the operational life of the materials recycling facility – Application 11/00015/CM

To continue development of non hazardous landfilling operations without complying with conditions of planning permission 00/01480/CM (as varied by appeal reference APP/U3100/A/09/2117987/NWF) relating to phasing of landfilling and restoration, life of the site, restoration and aftercare schemes and tipping levels – Application 11/00026/CM

The Committee considered (PN5) two applications. The first to add a gasification plant to the existing MRF permission to process more waste and the second to continue landfilling operations at the quarry without complying with conditions which related to an end date for filling, changes to phasing of tipping and restoration and assessment of pre-settlement levels.

Mr Kerford-Byrnes referred to the dismay locally at yet another request to extend operations at the quarry. This translated to a total operational life of 42 years which was wholly disproportionate when compared to the area of land involved which was only 16 hectares.  Finmere Parish Council considered that amounted to grounds for refusal in itself.  Previous operations had blighted the landscape.  There were also many unknowns regarding the gasification process and provenance of the operation itself with no guarantee that it would be successful.  There were also serious safety concerns.  He urged the Committee to refuse the application on the grounds of the length of the restoration operation and uncertainties regarding gasification technology.  At the very least residents would expect a condition to be imposed to revoke any permission for the plant if it was not operational after a certain time in order to prevent any unnecessary delay to the restoration programme.

He then responded to questions from:

Councillor Reynolds – previous problems at the site had been largely containable but this was new technology even closer to the village and if a major incident occurred, say an explosion, could potentially have catastrophic results.  Residents had from past experience little confidence in the quality of operations at the site.

Matthew Horton QC reminded the Committee that permission for the MRF and the extension to operations at the site had been granted on appeal in September 2007 and that circumstances which existed before that date were irrelevant because ownership had changed.  The nature of the MRF had also changed as a result of new technology.  Gasification was in line with government policy and complaints regarding odour had been overcome.  Delays to landfill had occurred because of problems with the Environment Agency, the recession and increased levels of recycling.  There would be a further reduction in landfill material because of gasification which had resulted in the need to apply for an extension to the landfill operation.  He did not accept statements made regarding uncertainties relating to gasification technology nor was there any risk of explosion.  The gas produced would be sealed and transported via pipes and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11