Issue - meetings

To consider a report updating Members in relation to the appeal against its refusal of application 09/0738W, an Energy from Waste facility off Pochin Way, Middlewich.

Consideration was given to the above report.

RESOLVED

1. That the report updating Members be noted,

2. In furtherance of the Council’s case at Inquiry, and as required by the Planning Inspectorate in the event that permission is granted on appeal, the Head of Planning & Housing is authorized to propose, contest or settle the terms of any appropriate conditions and planning obligations and, if he considers it appropriate, to enter into an Agreement under S106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990;

3. That the Inspector be notified that the Council considers the grid connection and CHP link should be formally submitted in detail for inclusion within a comprehensive planning application and supporting environmental statement.

4. In addition to reasons for refusal given in April 2010, the Strategic Planning Board objects to the application on the following grounds:-

a.     That the proposal fails to demonstrate that sustainable transport has been adequately considered. It is therefore contrary to policies 1, 12 and 27 of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan, Policies DP1, DP 4, DP5, DP7, EM 12 and EM 13 of the Regional Spatial Strategy and policy GR 1 of the Congleton Borough Local Plan.

b.     The importation of significant quantities of waste by road from outside the County of Cheshire is considered unsustainable and undermines the principle of treating and disposing of wastes close to source. The importation of waste now proposed is therefore contrary to policies 1, 12 and 27 of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan, Policies DP1, DP 4, DP5, DP7, EM 12 and EM 13 of the Regional Spatial Strategy and policy GR 1 of the Congleton Borough Local Plan.

5. That approval be given to raise objection to the introduced assessments, which have not be included within the application details, as follows:

i. The indicative routes for the grid connection and steam pipeline would negatively and unacceptably impact on Public Rights of Way, Middlewich footpath N^os19 and 20. These impacts have not been adequately assessed nor mitigation measures proposed. The assessments are considered contrary to policy 20 of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan, and GR16 of the Congleton Borough Local Plan.

ii. The indicative route and infrastructure required to provide a grid connection taken cumulatively with the submitted proposal details for a waste facility would have an unacceptable impact in terms of landscape and visual amenity. The assessments are considered contrary to policies 2,12,14, and 36 of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan, Policy DP 7 and EM 1 of the Regional Spatial Strategy and policies GR 1,2,5 and 6 of the Congleton Borough Local Plan.

iii. That adequate ecological surveys and mitigation have not been provided to assess the impact on protected species. The assessments are considered contrary to policies 1, 12 and 17 of the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan, EM1 of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

(Prior to consideration of the following item, Councillors Mrs R Bailey, D Brown, B Livesley and W J Macrae left the meeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90