Issue - meetings

200312

Meeting: 21/05/2020 - Planning Committee (Item 117)

117 Application No.200312 - Gravelly Bridge Farm, Grazeley Green Road, Grazeley, RG7 1LG pdf icon PDF 476 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Proposal: Full application for the temporary change of use of the agricultural land to soil and aggregate production with a single storey site office and bunds (retrospective)

 

Applicant: Mr Fleetwood

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 113 to 136.

 

The Committee were advised that there were no Members’ Updates.

 

In line with the given deadlines, one public written submission was received for this item. This submissions was circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submission as provided can be found below.

 

Alison Crooks, agent, provided a submission in support of the application. “Dear Mr Chairman

 

My name is Alison Crooks and I represent the applicant. I trust that you and the committee are keeping safe and well. 

 

I would like to start by thanking the planning officer for his report and assistance throughout this application. This has been a positive process, even during these unusual working conditions. 

 

Fleetwood Grab Services is a local company. They have been based at Gravelly Bridge Farm for many years and work in the local area. They specialize in the management of soils generated from construction projects which can include foundations from household extensions. Fleetwood Grab process clean soils to produce a British Standard quality soil. The soils are returned for landscaping projects and the stones are used in drainage or laying tracks. This helps to achieve 100% diversion from landfill and ensures that the soils are used for beneficial uses.

 

During this lockdown period, Fleetwood Grabs has continued to serve customers, in line with Government guidance, to help ensure that waste continues to be managed in an environmentally sound manner. No staff have been made redundant or furloughed. The continued use of the application site is paramount to the survival of this business. 

 

We note in the officer’s report that there are no local or statutory objections to the development. We fully support the officer’s recommendations and thank you for your time.”

 

Members were asked in turn for any comments or queries on this application. Specific comments or queries are summarised below.

 

Simon Weeks commented that this site had been operational for three years with no planning permission. Should the Committee be minded to grant planning permission, this would give the Council more control via conditions. Simon added that the site was obliged to keep waste transfer licences, which detailed what material was entering the site. Simon stated that this site would allow for material to be recycled and used for construction purposes instead of being turned into landfill waste.

 

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey queried whether this site had any relation to the potential development site at Grazeley. Simon Weeks stated that the Committee could only determine this application based on what was present currently.

 

Gary Cowan queried whether the site could be restricted to using materials within a five mile radius, as per Shinfield Parish Council’s request. Justin Turvey, Operational Manager – Development Management, stated that conditions were required to be reasonable. In this case,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117