Decision details

The Committee considered a report on a retrospective application to regularise the importation of soils for use in ground stabilisation and landscaping works associated with the consented residential development on land off Old Road, Chatburn.

The report included the views of Ribble Valley Borough Council, the County Council's Ecology Service and details of eight letters of representation received.

The Development Management Officer presented a PowerPoint presentation showing an aerial view of the site and the nearest residential properties together with photographs of the site and proposed mitigation area. 

The Officer reported orally that additional representations had been received from Chatburn Parish Council and the applicant following publication of the agenda (details set out in the Update Sheet at Item 4 of the agenda). It was also reported that committee members had received additional representations from local residents.

Officers responded to concerns raised by the committee with regard to the mitigation proposed,the timescale for management works and the failure of the applicant to comply with the committee's earlier decision to remove the tipped materials and restore the grassland.

Following further debate it was Moved and Seconded that:

"The application be refused on the grounds that the mitigation proposals by reason of their location, design and management period would not be sufficient to fully address the ecological impacts which have resulted from the tipping of waste soils on the application site. The proposal is therefore contrary to paragraph 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy DME3 of the Ribble Valley Core Strategy and policy DM2 of the Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan".

On being put to the vote, the Motion was Carried. It was therefore:

Resolved: That the application be refused on the grounds that the mitigation proposals by reason of their location, design and management period would not be sufficient to fully address the ecological impacts which have resulted from the tipping of waste soils on the application site. The proposal is therefore contrary to paragraph 174 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy DME3 of the Ribble Valley Core Strategy and policy DM2 of the Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan.