Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Adam Bennet with Councillor Shehryar Ahmad Wallana substituting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Adam Bennet with Councillor Shehryar Ahmad Wallana substituting.

None.

None.

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the meeting on 23 June 2022 was approved.

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the meeting on 23 June 2022 was approved.

None.

None.

It was confirmed that all items would be heard in public.

It was confirmed that all items would be heard in public.

Request for approval of Plans and Specifications (under Paragraph 3 of the Act) and associated Site Restoration Proposals (under Paragraph 12 of the Act), relating to the Ground Level Works (South); namely, Earthworks, Fencing Location and the Site Restoration Proposals and associated Landscaping at Colne Valley Viaduct, under condition imposed by Schedule 17 to the High-Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Act 2017.

Recommendations: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer’s recommendation.

Agenda item 6

Request for approval of Plans and Specifications (under Paragraph 3 of the Act) and associated Site Restoration Proposals (under Paragraph 12 of the Act), relating to the Ground Level Works (South); namely, Earthworks, Fencing Location and the Site Restoration Proposals and associated Landscaping at Colne Valley Viaduct, under condition imposed by Schedule 17 to the High-Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Act 2017.

Officers introduced the application and provided a detailed presentation. It was noted that no objections had been made by statutory consultees in relation to the fencing, earthworks and land restoration. A recommendation for approval was made for the Committee’s consideration.

The Legal Advisor advised the Committee to consider two key factors in making its decision:

1.    Did Members have sufficient information before them to make a decision and to request any information that was lacking.

2.    The Council grounds for manoeuvre were restricted however officers were satisfied with the proposal and had made a recommendation for approval. The proposal included a number of benefits to residents and the local environment although it was ultimately the Committee’s decision.

The Committee thanked officers for the work undertaken with HS2 to prepare the report.

During Member discussions it was noted that there was no land management plan yet however an informative could be included to mitigate Member concerns regarding the interaction between cattle and dog walking and antisocial behaviour including graffiti. These issues would be addressed later at the land management regime stage.

The Committee heard that there was a lot of stock fencing to manage the cattle and to dissuade anti-social behaviour however this had to be balanced against impacting the landscape detrimentally. It was also confirmed that the land was managed by HS2 including new pavements and it was in their interests to maintain and mitigate any harm from the railway and infrastructures.

In response to Member questions regarding the car park that was now used as a construction compound, it was explained that construction compound would be restored to its original position, and this would form a future application. Contingencies had also been put in place in the event of any stock being removed from lakes.

The officer’s recommendation, inclusive of the informative relating to the interaction between cattle and dog walking and antisocial behaviour including graffiti, was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer recommendation subject to the additional informative.