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 a site 299,165.4m2 for the placement of excavated HS2 material arising from HS2 works to form 2 no. mounds (i.e. western and eastern mound), fencing (location only), the diversion of an ordinary watercourse to facilitate the western mound, creation and associated drainage in the form of swales, culverts, and a pond.

Recommendation: Approval

Officers introduced the application and delivered a presentation outlining the proposals for a 16-metre-high western mound and an 18-metre-high eastern mound to be constructed adjacent to Newyears Green Lane using excavated materials from the nearby HS2 development.

Officers highlighted that the proposals were twofold, in that the Committee were considering the method for construction and the final end use and restoration of the development. Officers were generally happy with the methods for construction. The Committee were informed that, due to the gradient of the prospective mounds, they would not be designated for agricultural use. Officers had raised concerns around the long-term land use of the mounds and in the way of efforts to achieve a positive land use, had negotiated that a footpath be installed leading to the top of the western mound; this mound would eventually come under the ownership of the local authority. Discussions were ongoing with HS2 as to the long-term ownership and use of the eastern mound. The application was recommended for approval, subject to the condition outlined in the officer’s report; further to this it was noted that the condition was initially proposed by HS2 Ltd, then slightly amended by officers, and agreed by both parties.

Members queried the methods of construction and sought assurances over the stability of the mounds given the increased long-term likelihood of inclement weather. Officers informed the Committee that they were happy with the phased approach within the construction method statement submitted with the application which outlined the compacted nature of the mounds.  It was also highlighted that, once complete, there would be a period of up to five years whereby HS2 Ltd would be gatekeepers of the site before any final handover takes place. Officers also assured Members that the proposed flooding and water runoff mitigation measures were deemed to be sufficient in handling any increased risk of flooding to Breakspear Road South.

By way of clarification around the biodiversity corridors, the Committee were informed that HS2 were required to design a “no net loss” scheme in terms of biodiversity. Discussions were ongoing as to the exact details of what this would look like in relation to the application in front of Members. With regard to the proposed condition in relation to the restoration of the land, Members were minded to have the details of the scheme of restoration come back to the Committee once known.

The Committee raised concerns whether the site, being located next to Newyears Green Lane landfill site, had been subject to contamination as the landfill site was known to be a contaminated area. Additionally, concerns were raised in relation to potential contamination of the Ickenham water source. It was noted that the Environment Agency, as the lead regulator on protection of the water environment, had raised no objection with the application and had not identified any increased contamination risk associated with the proposals; further to this Members were informed that the HS2 Act 2017 had designated the land to be tipped and it was outside of the Council’s remit to consider the principle of tipping on the land.

The officer’s recommendation was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, agreed with five votes for and one abstention.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the application be approved as per the officer’s recommendation; and

2)    That details comprising the scheme of restoration come back to the Committee once known.