Agenda item

County Councillor P Rigby left the room during consideration of this application as he had declared a pecuniary interest in the item.

A report was presented on an application for the erection of an extension to the existing waste transfer buildingon land at Lidun Park Industrial Estate, Off Boundary Road, Lytham.

The report included the views of Fylde Borough Council, the Environment Agency, the county council's Highways Development Control, and details of four letters of representation received.

The Development Management Officer presented a PowerPoint Presentation showing an aerial view of the site and the nearest residential properties. The committee was also shown a site location plan, an illustration showing the proposed plans and elevations and photographs of the site from various aspects.

The Officer reported orally that the applicant had advised that the flood lighting at the site is used when the site is not in operation in order to provide security to the site. It was therefore proposed that Condition 4 be reworded to reflect this as follows:-

4.   Any floodlighting to be attached to the building shall be angled into the site towards the ground and incorporate adequate shading to minimise light spill.

Simon Hornshaw, a local resident, addressed the committee.  He advised that he was speaking on behalf of local residents who were concerned that the proposals would lead to an increase in the throughput of building waste to the site. Concern was also raised about the impacts of noise and dust emissions from the site. It was suggested that noise and dust emissions should be monitored prior to the extension being constructed and following its construction and that the results of the monitoring should be made available to residents.

Concern was also raised with regard to an increase in HGVs visiting the site. It was felt that this would lead to an increase in pollution levels and dangerous emissions which would pose an unacceptable risk, especially for the young and the elderly.

Mr Hornshaw queried why such a plant had been given planning permission to operate within 50 to 200 metres of existing residential properties including Mornington Meadow Park which was much frequented by local children. He also questioned why the plant was not enclosed as was the case with similar plants in other parts of the country. He suggested that the applicant must either put more emphasis on health and safety or close the plant and relocate it away from residential properties.

In response to questions raised by the Members, Officers confirmed that the application was for an extension to an existing building on the site and that any increase in the throughput of waste would be a matter for the Environment Agency. Officers also confirmed that the Environment Agency had investigated a number of complaints in relation to this site and had concluded that no action should be taken.

Following further concerns raised by the Members with regard to the potential increase in the throughput of waste to the site, it was Moved and Seconded that:

'The application be deferred until such time as the impact of the extension on the throughput of waste has been established.'

On being put to the vote the Motion was Lost, the Substantive Motion was then put to the vote and it was:

Resolved:That subject to the inclusion of the amended wording to condition 4 as set out above, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report to committee.