Agenda item

(1)       Correspondence from the Local Member, Mr D Baker opposing the application and setting out an alternative proposal had been circulated to Members of the Committee and was also tabled on the day.

(2)       The Head of Planning Applications Group referred to very recentcorrespondence received from local residents seeking further information on the proposed HGV movements and hours of working.  They also referred to a meeting of New Romney TC’s Planning and Environment Committee meeting on 25 September 2013 at which many additional concerns were noted that did not feature in the committee report and where it was resolved that the Environment Agency be requested to review the proposed planning application as a matter of urgency and thereafter report back to their committee. It was noted that the E.A. had not yet responded to their concerns as requested. 

(3)       The Head of Planning Applications Group also reported very recent correspondence received from objectors stating firstly that the operation would have more significant effects and greater impacts than the applicants’ suggest on this fragile Natura 2000 site which is protected by the Habitats Regulations and the Authority’s own planning policies, where the site is internationally important for its physiographical, flora and fauna; and secondly that no detailed cost assessment had been undertaken.

(4)       Mr Tony Hills addressed the Committee on behalf of the Town Councils of Lydd and New Romney in opposition to the application. Mrs Pat Brazier from Camber PC spoke in support.  Mr Martin Ingham (Dungeness Residents Association) and Mr Ken Thomas (Dungeness Fishermen’s Association) spoke in opposition to the application. Mr Terry Preston (Defend Our Coast Association) spoke in support. Mr Andrew Pearce (Environment Agency) spoke in reply on behalf of the applicants.

(5)       On being put to the vote, the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group were carried by 13 votes to 4 with 1 abstention.

(6)       Mr J M Wedgbury requested, pursuant to Committee Procedure Rule 2.26 (3) that his vote in support of the recommendations be recorded.

(7)       RESOLVED that subject to the satisfactory completion (within 6 months of the resolution - unless otherwise agreed by the Head of Planning Applications Group) of a Legal Agreement to secure the Draft Heads of Terms (as set out in Appendix D of the report) permission be granted to the application subject to conditions, including conditions covering shingle recycling ceasing after 12 years; the development being carried out as permitted; restrictions on the annual volumes of shingle (as set out in paragraphs 14 and 17 of the report);  a restriction on hours of operation to between 0800 and 1600 hours on Mondays to Fridays only, with no working at weekends; a requirement that no operations take place outside of the period of October to March; daily vehicle numbers in Year 1 being restricted to 70 daily vehicle movements (i.e. 35in/35out) (which would reduce in year 2 and fromyear 3 thereafter); all vehicles, fencing and welfare facilities being removed from site upon completion of extraction operations in March each year; vehicles travelling in a convoy at a speed restriction of no more than 10mph; Warning signs being erected warning pedestrians of shingle vehicles operating in the area; measures being in place to ensure no vehicle and pedestrian conflict (and being monitored thereafter); vibration at the closest residential premises to Dungeness Road not exceeding a VDVday of 0.4 ms-1.75 when measured and assessed in accordance with BS 6472; noise emanating from all plant associated with the shingle extraction and vehicles using the haul road not resulting in an increase in ambient noise level of 3 dB or more at any residential property (the applicant demonstrating that this condition is achieved through onsite measurements within one month of operation, and monitoring being undertaken every 3 months thereafter, with the methodology for such monitoring being agreed with the Minerals Planning Authority);  the total combined number of HGVs accessing or leaving the site being restricted to a maximum of nine movements in any one hour between 08:00 and 16:00 hours; the applicants carrying out a pre and post survey of the Dungeness Estate Road each year, and making good any repairs; a temporary shingle bund being constructed when operating within 210m of property A1; working areas and site compounds being maintained at all times; and extracted areas being left undisturbed following the extraction in the winter months to allow them to naturally replenish;