Agenda item

Request for approval of Plans and specifications under condition imposed by Schedule 17 to the High-Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 for works associated with the Copthall Tunnel, comprising of a headhouse and compound, a telecommunications mast (location only), east & west portals, a road underbridge, 5 no. tunnel ventilation openings, a maintenance siding, flood compensation area and associated earthworks, fencing and lighting.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.

Officers introduced the application, which comprised a Plans and Specifications submission under Schedule 17 of the HighSpeed Rail (London-West Midlands) Act 2017 (The Act), in relation to a headhouse and compound, a telecommunications mast (location only), east & west portals, a road underbridge, 5 no. tunnel ventilation openings, a maintenance siding, flood compensation area and associated earthworks, fencing and lighting.

The application was confirmed to be the latest in a series of HS2 Schedule 17 planning submissions, and Members were reminded that the role of the Planning Authority in such submissions was heavily restricted as to what could and could not form the basis of a decision. Officers summarised the areas of the proposal that were for consideration by the Committee. The Borough Solicitor set out the three statutory grounds for refusal that could be considered and advised that none of the grounds for refusal had been met.

The Committee was advised that there were no objections to the proposed fencing, lighting, telecommunications or parking arrangements, and that officers considered that the proposals would not have a detrimental impact on a site of ecological value or an archaeological area of importance. It was considered that there were no reasonably practicable measures which needed to be taken for the purpose of mitigating the effect of the work or its operation in terms of its impact on the local environment/ local amenity, in accordance with Paragraph 9 sub section (4)(a) of Schedule 17 of the Act. Accordingly, the application was recommended for approval.

Following queries from the Committee, officers advised that the location of the proposed fixed telecommunications mast was to be next to the headhouse, that there was no platform area for trains to stop, and that the siding area was located between embankments at surface level, though would not be used frequently. In addition, officers advised that while tree planting at the site was not for the Committee to review as part of this application, officers were in regular contact with the applicant regarding the type and timing of future plantings. Spoil storage and flooding mitigation was also not for the Committee to review, but this was confirmed as governed by Covid construction practices which HS2 was abiding by. Officers advised that there was a large amount of storage space for material on site, which was often re-used within the site itself.

The Committee discussed whether the ventilation shaft openings should be changed to brick construction to mitigate noise. Officers advised that in relation to the shaft openings, it was considered that the proposed weathered steel design was the best option for ease of maintenance and the minimising of noise and visual impact. Regarding noise, the report confirmed that the proposal would meet the noise limits set by parliament and would therefore have no adverse impact, though the Council would monitor noise at the site. On this basis, the Committee agreed that the openings should remain as proposed.

The officer’s recommendation was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.