Agenda item

Application for the working of slate waste tip to create stockpile for processing at minerals plant

 

Local Member: Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn

 

Link to relevant background documents

 

DECISION: To approve the application subject to conditions relating to the following:

1. Duration of working period 31/12/2040 and restoration up to 31/12/2042 to coincide with terms of overarching planning permission.
2. Permitted activities and compliance with submitted details/plans.
3. Mark boundary of site and mineral extraction zones.
4. Working Hours.
5. Manage HGV vehicle movements from the site to 9 per day on working days (Monday - Friday), No more than 2 on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays/Public Holidays.
6. Dust mitigation measures.
7. Air quality monitoring
8. Operational Noise - noise level restrictions.
9. Noise monitoring surveys.
10. Restrict the operating hours of the crusher.
11. Reasonable measures to avoid reptiles.   
12. Biodiversity Improvement Plan (to include the creation of an otters' den).
13. Restoration Management Plan (to include surveying measures and eradicating non-native invasive species and installing fences to restrict access of livestock to restored areas).

 

Application for the working of a slate waste tip to create stockpile for processing at an existing minerals plant.

 

a)      The Senior Minerals and Waste Planning Officer explained that this was an application for the working of a slate waste tip to create stockpile for processing at an existing minerals plant. The Bryntirion tip stood within the Ffestiniog Slate Quarry which was to the northwest of the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog; vehicular access to the quarry was gained from the A470 Trunk Road, around 150m north of Oakley Terrace. 

 

It was reported that the applicant operated a minerals plant that processed slate waste from both the Ffridd and Bryntirion waste tips to produce granulated slate products. The southern portion of the tip had already been worked as part of planning permission C10M/0103/03/MW (subsequently prolonged under C20/0079/03/AC). Material was moved from the tip using a tracked excavator and fed into a mobile crusher and feed hopper prior to being transported to be dried and milled in the plant on a conveyor belt.  This powdered or granulated slate product was primarily used for building materials such as roofing felt, artificial slate bitumen, insecticides, paint, resins, pipeline coatings, roofing and damp-course felts, automotive body under seal, terrazzo tiles and plastics or exported by road as secondary aggregate.   

 

The need for the application came because of the limited reserve left in the tips that were already permitted to be worked. There were an estimated 520,000 tonnes of additional reserve within the application area, which would ensure that the minerals plant had a continuous supply of feedstock for five years.

 

The proposal did not propose to increase HGV movements from the site, and it would release the mineral reserve in line with the existing conditions for Ffestiniog Quarry that restricted output to 9 loads per working day and 2 loads on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank/Public Holidays.

 

Reference was made to observations received from Network Rail (NR) which objected to the proposal because of the lack of information regarding dust control and its effects on the tunnel air shafts.  However, it was explained that the applicant had provided thorough information on dust control and the Public Protection Unit had recommended appropriate conditions (mitigation measures) to reduce any impact on air quality. It was added that NR also objected based on ground stability and water run-off in relation to the Ffestiniog tunnel and railway. NR had requested further discussions between all parties in March, but a meeting to discuss further observations on the content of the technical information had not materialised.

 

The Minerals Planning Authority was of the opinion that the applicant had provided adequate information in terms of technical reports relating to the surface load bearing, hydrology/geology and restoration proposals, and that none of the information provided by Network Rail disproved the adequacy or reliability of these reports. The Authority had contacted Network Rail several times regarding these matters, specifically drawing their attention to the detailed reports received, but no additional comments were received.

 

In the context of Biodiversity matters, it was noted that the Gwynedd Biodiversity Unit and NRW had confirmed that they had no objection to the proposals provided relevant conditions were imposed. These conditions would ensure that the proposal complied with policy AMG 5 of the JLDP and TAN 5, namely that there was no adverse effect on local biodiversity. It was considered that the proposed development complied with all relevant planning policies and considerations, and it was recommended that the planning application be approved with conditions.

 

b)    Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant made the following observations:

·         The application would facilitate an extension to the works

·         There would be a continuous five-year supply of material

·         This would safeguard six jobs for at least another five years

·         This was the only source of this material in the UK

·         This step would be significant in securing a continued provision of materials

·         The company saw value in the history of the quarry

 

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

 

RESOLVED: To approve the application subject to conditions relating to the following:

1.         Duration of working period 31/12/2040 and restoration up to 31/12/2042 to coincide with the terms of overarching planning permission.

2.         Permitted operations and compliance with submitted details/plans.

3.         Mark the site boundary and mineral extraction zones.

4.         Working Hours.

5.         Manage HGV vehicle movements from the site to 9 per day on working days (Monday - Friday), No more than 2 on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank/Public Holidays.

6.         Dust Suppression Measures.

7.         Air quality monitoring

8.         Operational Noise – noise level restrictions.

9.         Noise monitoring surveys.

10.       Restrict the operating hours of the crusher.

11.       Reasonable measures to avoid reptiles.  

12.       Biodiversity Enhancement Plan (to include the creation of an otter holt).

13.       Restoration Management Plan (to include surveying and eradication measures for non-native invasive species and stock-proof fencing to stop access of livestock to restored areas).