Agenda item

Proposed use of the site to provide a Civic Amenity facility at weekends only (Saturdays and Sundays – 9am to 5pm) accommodating public recycling area with a circular access arrangement, associated waste drop zones and container storage, and installation of palisade fencing with gates for a five-year period.

Recommendation: Approval

Proposed use of the site to provide a Civic Amenity facility at weekends only (Saturdays and Sundays – 0900 to 1700) accommodating public recycling area with a circular access arrangement, associated waste drop zones and container storage and installation of palisade fencing with gates for a five year period.

Councillor Duncan declared a non-pecuniary interest and left the room during the discussion of this item.

Officers introduced the report and noted the addendum.

A petitioner spoke in objection to the application, and noted that residents would live within 50m of a site that would have a capacity for 48,000 tons of waste. This would lead to a huge increase in the levels of waste at the site and residents would have no respite from the noise of vehicles arriving at the site, in addition to smell and pollution. The Committee heard that the site was excluded from the West London Waste Plan and designated for a mixed-use residential site, and was not acceptable for waste. The petitioner stated that the application would lead to an unacceptable level of traffic at the junction of Tavistock Road, and increase waste traffic in the area from one weekend a month to all weekends.

Responding to the Committee’s questioning, the Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration confirmed that the plans outlined did not differ from the “Golden Weekend” and the difference from a previous scheme was that this would not allow trade waste, and would be solely a civic amenity site for residents.

Members stated that the principal of the application was good, but there were concerns regarding the location of the site and its proximity to residential properties. The Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration stated that there were currently no rail movements over the weekend, but could not say that this would not change, and Network Rail were content that it only affected weekends.

The Council’s Transport, Planning and Development Manager noted that the application would lead to a projected increase of 24 two-way lorry movements per week, which totalled 1,248 per year and, if spread evenly, would average five movements per day.

The Committee asked whether there were any reports from residents regarding noise, traffic or dust from the current Golden Weekends, and were informed by officers that there had been none, and the only query was regarding a pothole.

Councillors discussed the opening hours on Sunday, and a majority of the Committee agreed that the proposed opening hours should remain as they were in the report, and the Head of Planning, Transportation and Regeneration noted that Condition 8 would ensure that there were no traffic movements to and from the site during sensitive hours.

Members noted that the concept of the application had been established over a long period of use for residents, and that the benefits would be strong and reduce fly-tipping in the Borough. As such, the officer’s recommendation was moved, subject to changes to Conditions, and seconded.

Upon being put to a vote, five Members voted in favour of the recommendation, and two Members voted against.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, subject to:

1.    The enhancement of Condition 8 to avoid traffic movements during sensitive hours; and,

2.    The addition of a Condition detailing a low-emission strategy to state: “No development shall commence until a low emission strategy (LES) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The measures in the agreed scheme shall be maintained throughout the life of the development”.