Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED That: the application be approved subject to a condition as worded by the Borough Solicitor.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED That: The minutes of the meetings on 12 March 2018 and 10 May 2018 be approved as an accurate record.

None.

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

Request for approval of lorry routes under condition imposed by Schedule 17 of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 relating to road transport associated with demolition, site clearance and other enabling works at the Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) worksites.

Recommendation: Approval

Request for approval of lorry routes under condition imposed by Schedule 17 of the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 relating to road transport associated with demolition, site clearance and other enabling works at the Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) worksites.

Officers introduced the report and presented the plans to the Committee. The report explained that the application related to lorry routes for large goods vehicles (LGVs) associated with demolitions, construction of a new MSD 'haul' road, ground investigations, new above-ground structures and utility works / diversion activities to the existing MSD, Gatesmead Farmhouse and Oak Farm sites. It was anticipated that, on average, a peak of 160 two-way LGV movements would be generated on a daily basis between September 2018 and January 2019 for the construction of the new MSD road, with a drop in activity to an average level of 80 LGVs per day to June 2019. Thereafter, it was estimated that there would be approximately 24 LGV movements per day until July 2019. The Committee was requested to consider whether it was acceptable for the MSD site to be accessed by 24 or more LGVs per day. When leaving the site, LGVs would be directed onto Breakspear Road South and would enter Swakeleys Road before joining the A40. Members were informed that the A40 was not part of the London Borough of Hillingdon network and fell within the remit of TfL.

Councillors were advised that the role of the Committee was to facilitate the will of Parliament in respect of HS2 whilst taking into consideration the needs of local residents. The application was recommended for approval subject to the informative.

Members expressed concern at the lack of information in the report regarding the potential impact on free flowing traffic in the area, particularly during peak periods. Moreover, concern was expressed regarding the informative which appeared inadequate and weak. Councillors commented that Breakspear and Swakeleys Roads were already heavily congested at peak times and felt the problem would be exacerbated by the addition of lorries entering and exiting the MSD site. Members also expressed concern regarding the potential impact on road safety in the area.

The Borough Solicitor addressed the Committee commenting that the informative failed to establish the mandatory requirements which the proposed developer should observe. It was suggested that concerns regarding the weak informative could be addressed by the imposition of a condition; this was preferable as a condition was fully enforceable under Planning law whereas the current informative was not. Members were informed that Schedule 17, paragraph 6 of the HS2 Act detailed the circumstances under which a Local Planning Authority could impose conditions and stipulated that conditions could only be imposed with the agreement of the nominated undertaker; in this case HS2. It was explained that agreement from HS2 had not yet been secured. The Committee was advised that Schedule 17, paragraph 6 outlined the acceptable grounds for conditions to be imposed; the third of which was particularly relevant in this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.