Agenda item

A report was presented on an application for the extension of timescales in condition 6 of permission LCC/2016/140, to allow the completion of grading and restoration operations on a bund feature that had been formed from imported inert waste by 31 December 2021, at Ream Hills Farm, Mythop Road, Weeton.

It was noted that the bund construction operations should have ceased by mid-February 2020, but that the bund had not yet been completed to its approved dimensions. The applicant was therefore seeking to extend the end date for the completion of the bund construction operations until 31 December 2021.

It was reported to Committee that the bund would be used as a shelter for the camping site and that the county council had initially opposed the application but this had been overruled by the Planning Inspectorate.

The report included the views of Fylde Borough Council, Weeton-with-Preese Parish Council, Staining Parish Council, LCC Highways Development Control, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the LCC Specialist Advisor (Ecology) and details of three representations received comprising two objections and concerns about noise and disruption in Weeton Village and issues in relation to Mythop Road. The observations of the Lead Local Flood Authority were awaited.

The Development Management Officer presented a Powerpoint presentation showing an aerial view of the site and site access, and photographs of the bund under construction.

It was reported to Committee that comments in relation to HGV movements, issues of mud and debris and a stipulation that no vehicles should operate before 10.00am and no later than 4.00pm had been considered but, as importation of material to the site had been completed, these issues should no longer occur and Condition 3 prohibited any further importation of waste to the site. In addition, monitoring activity had picked up that some conditions of planning permission had been breached but the regrading works that were now proposed should result in the final form of the mound complying with the approved drawings.

In response to a query in relation to damage to highways, it was reported that a condition could be included for those applications involving a substantial number of HGVs, to have a video camera survey on a highway to be repeated at regular intervals so the condition of the highway could be monitored over time. However, it would be difficult to differentiate between damage from HGVs from a particular site to all other vehicles using the highway.

County Councillor Potter referred to Condition 12 – Control of Noise and queried if it was standard practice for works to commence at 7.30am. It was reported that 7.30am until 16.30pm was the normal working hours although the option to restrict these hours was available if, for example, the works were being carried out close to residential properties.

Resolved: That planning permission be granted subject to planning conditions controlling time limits, working programme, site operations, water courses, hours of operation, control of noise and dust, final restoration levels, landscaping and aftercare, as set out in the Committee report.