Agenda item

Rossendale Borough: Application number LCC/2020/0018
Extension and restoration of quarry by means of infill with inert construction, demolition and excavation waste together with ancillary activities, and the consolidation of existing planning permissions at Tong Quarry, Tong Lane, Bacup

Minutes:

A report was presented on an application for an extension of Tong Quarry, Bacup with restoration by means of infill with inert construction, demolition and excavation waste together with ancillary activities, and the consolidation of existing planning permissions.

 

The report included the views of the Environment Agency, LCC Highways Development Control, Natural England, the Coal Authority and the LCC Ecology Service. It was noted that no letters of representation had been received in respect of the application.

 

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 an illustration of the proposed extension area, the restoration contours, the phasing area and the diverted footpath and access route together with photographs of the site and access roads from various viewpoints.

 

It was noted that Rossendale Borough Council had been consulted on the application but that no comments had been received.

 

The Committee was reminded that as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, members of the public who had formally requested to speak at the committee meeting and who met the criteria, had been invited to give their views in the form of a written statement to be read out in full by officers at the meeting.

 

The legal officer therefore read out a written statement on behalf of the applicant (copy set out at Annex A to the Update Sheet).

 

Officers responded to questions raised with regard to the footpath and track, the wheel wash facilities, the potential for flooding and the mitigation proposed for the loss of the dry stone wall.

 

Following further debate with regard to the safety of the footpath and track, it was Moved and Seconded that:

 

"An additional condition be included to require that prior to the commencement of Phase 2, the access track and footpath be reinstated, measures be taken to ensure the stability of such and that appropriate warning signage be erected".

 

On being put to the vote it was Carried. 

 

The additional condition is set out below for completeness:

 

29.  No soil stripping or mineral extraction shall take place in phase 2 until the access track and footpath has been reinstated along the line shown marked in green on drawing 9865A/04B in accordance with details to be first submitted to and approved in writing by the County Planning Authority. The details shall include the following:

 

a)  A specification for the formation of the causeway including measures to ensure stability.

b)  Details for the surfacing of the track to a standard suitable for vehicular access and as a footpath.

c)  Details of fencing, walling or other edge protection.

d)  Details of warning signage to be erected where the quarry access road crosses the reinstated access track and footpath.

Thereafter the causeway shall be constructed in accordance with the specification approved under part a). The access track and footpath shall be constructed in accordance with the details approved under b) – d) and then maintained in accordance with these details thereafter.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and local amenity and to conform with Policy DM2 of the Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

 

Resolved:  That, subject to the addition of condition 29 as set out above, and after first taking into consideration the environmental information, as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, planning permission be granted subject to conditions set out in the report to the Committee.

 

Supporting documents: