Agenda item

(1)       Mr C P Smith informed the Committee that he was a Member of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.  He had not considered the application in that capacity and was able to approach its determination with a fresh mind.

(2)       Mr R Woolley from Jacobs, the County Council’s Noise, Dust and Odour Consultant was present for this item to explain his professional views and to answer Members’ questions, particularly in respect of Noise.

(3)       The Head of Planning Applications Group reported that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council had maintained its objection to the application and had also recommended that if permission were granted all operational and storage facilities should be maintained in the south east corner of the site.

(4)       Mr M Balfour addressed the Committee in his capacity as a local Borough Councillor from the neighbouring ward of Birling and also on behalf of the Local Member, Mrs S V Hohler who was unable to attend the meeting. He spoke in opposition to the application, as did Mr D Chiddention, a local resident. Mr S Chaffe from Matthews and Son spoke in reply on behalf of the applicants.

(5)       The Head of Planning Applications Group reported the views of Mrs S V Hohler, the Local Member in opposition to the application.

(6)       Mrs P A V Stockell moved, seconded by Mrs E M Tweed that night time working at the site should be for a trial period of two years.

                                    Carried by 9 votes to 6 with 1 abstention

(7)       The Head of Planning Applications Group assured the Committee that the proposed noise monitoring would enable the effects of night-time working and the need or otherwise for additional acoustic attenuation to be assessed.  It would also provide a basis for considering any future proposed extension to the 2-year temporary night-time working period.

(8)       On being put to the vote, the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group were carried (as amended) with no opposition.

(9)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       permission be granted to the application subject conditions, including conditions covering a 5 year implementation period; the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details; a limit of 100,000 tonnes per annum being stored and processed within the aggregate recycling facility; a limit of 30,000 cubic metres of concrete production per annum associated with the concrete batching plant; details/specification of the acoustic fence being submitted for approval; erection of the acoustic fence prior to the commencement of development and its maintenance in perpetuity for the life of the permitted operations; ecological mitigation being implemented (as detailed in the application) when constructing the acoustic fence; day-time noise from site operations being limited to 55 dB LAeq, 1 hr; night-time working being permitted for a trial period of two years with night-time noise from site operations being limited to 50 dB LAmax; all vehicles on site using broadband reversing alarms during night-time periods; no audible tanoy/PA system being used during night-time periods; a scheme of noise monitoring; the hours of working for processing and sale of materials associated with the aggregate recycling facility being 08:00 to 18:00 hours on Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 13:00 hours on Saturdays, and no operations (except for essential maintenance and then only between 08:00 to 18:00 hours) taking place on Sundays and Bank Holidays; the hours of working of the concrete batching plant being 07:00 to 18:00 hours on Mondays to Fridays, 07:00 to 13:00 hours on Saturdays, and no operations (except for essential maintenance and then only between 08:00 and 18:00 hours) taking place on Sundays and Bank Holidays; the removal of the remaining indigenous sand reserves and restoration being completed within 18 months from the implementation of the development (in accordance with the revised restoration scheme); the height of material stockpiles being restricted to no more than 6m above the quarry floor and no vehicles, machinery, plant or equipment being operated on top of the stockpiles; the retention, maintenance and management of the restored landscape areas for the life of the development; a formal 5 year aftercare period for the restored landscaped areas; dust mitigation measures; measures to control mud and debris being tracked out of the site; details of any site lighting being submitted for approval; and details of the concrete batching plant being submitted for approval;

           (b)        the applicants be advised, by Informative that a Site Liaison Committee should be established in accordance with the general terms which the applicant has proposed; and

(c)        the applicants be requested to re-paint Public Right of Way MR75A crossing markings immediately outside their site as soon as they are reasonably able to do so (in consultation with the landowner as necessary).