An
application for works associated with the construction of the proposed A487
Caernarfon to Bontnewydd bypass, including; Use of
land as an extension to the existing site compound area and provision of a
maintenance shed, office accommodation, welfare and car parking facilities,
fuel store, sewage storage tank, mobile concrete batching plant, mobile asphalt
batching plant and construction of a haul route (temporary use for up to 10
years).
a)
The Senior Planning Manager – Minerals and Waste
expanded on the background of the application, noting that this was an
application to use the quarry to assist with the work of improving the local
road network. The quarry would recommence the excavation work under the terms
of the minerals permission, as well as dispose of waster
materials from the bypass construction work to be used to restore the site.
Attention was drawn to
the environmental statement that had been submitted with the application and it
was emphasised that the project was for the purposes of the Bypass only. It was
highlighted that the site would be required for five years but that the restriction
in HGVs associated with moving materials would be three years. Transport movements were not expected on the
road - traffic would come straight off the bypass.
In the context of
biodiversity issues, there was no wildlife protection designation on the site
and the authority had carried out a habitats assessment on the application and
it had concluded that there would be no detrimental impact on international or
national environmental designations such as SSSIs and SACs. It was noted that
the site would restore itself relatively quickly after the work was completed.
b)
Taking advantage of the right to speak,
the applicant’s agent noted the following main points:-
·
That the
application was intrinsic for the Bypass
·
That the proposal was a unique
opportunity to reduce traffic and re-establish and ensure a substantial
reduction in services traffic.
·
The
site's advantage was that it directly abutted the project.
·
The
quarry material was suitable.
·
There was extant working permission on
the quarry
c)
The local member (a member of this
Planning Committee), noted that he supported the application, but there were
some concerns regarding the closure of the road above Peblig
following the development.
ch) It
was proposed and seconded to approve the application.
d) During
the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:
· That this element
was very important for the Bypass and was of assistance to serve the project.
· This was a huge
project for the area and one to be welcomed.
RESOLVED to authorise the
Senior Planning and Public Protection Manager to determine the application
subject to a range of conditions as follows, and, where noted, to the
submission of relevant information in accordance with the conditions prior to
the commencement of the development:
- Commence within three years
- The length of the permission restricted to five years from the
submission of the commencement notice with the activities relating to
importing materials to restore the quarry restricted to the requirements
of the bypass and restricted to a period of three years from submitting a
landfill activity commencement notice.
- Topographic survey to be submitted for the approval of the minerals
planning authority immediately when those activities end; to include a
comprehensive inspection of the materials available for restoration
purposes. If the volume of materials emanating from the work of
constructing the bypass is insufficient to complete the work of restoring
the site in accordance with the application plans, an amended restoration
plan will be submitted for the approval of the minerals planning
authority.
- Gradual restoration plan to target key areas
- Amended restoration plan for the northern transport route so that
it is restored for agricultural purposes in accordance with the guidelines
in Appendix B-D TAN 1 (Aggregates), detailing the volume and storage
locations of all materials earmarked for restoration purposes, i.e.
materials excavated when creating the transport road should not be
exported from the site.
- Permitted activities and Compliance with Submitted Details / Plans
- Working times as they are: 07:00 - 19:00 Monday to Friday; 07:00 -
13:00 Saturday, and no mineral working on Sunday, Bank Holidays and Public
Holidays.
- Transport relating to exporting and importing materials, and
delivering materials for the concrete and asphalt batching work to be
restricted to the purposeful transport routes shown on the application
plan.
- Comprehensive tree and hedge planting plan included in restoration
work.
- Noise during
normal working hours (0700-1900), the noise scale levels should be no
more than 55dB(A) LAeq,
1 hour(free field). Evening
(1900-2200), the restrictions should be no more than 10dB(A) above the
background level
- Night
restrictions should be no more than 42 dB (A) LAe1, 1 hour free field
near sensitive dwellings. (MTAN1).
- Temporary
works to be no more than 70 dB LAeq, 1 hour
(free field) for up to 8 weeks a year.
- Carry out a
noise monitoring survey in accordance with the written request of the
Minerals Planning Authority, to comply with BS.4142:2014 'Methods for
rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound', to assess and
display compliance with the boundary noise limit.
- To use white
noise alarms when reversing;
- Re-mediation strategy if, during the development, contamination not
previously identified is found to be present.
- Fuel storage
- Requirement to note the comprehensive details of the foul water
storage tank for the approval of the local planning authority prior to the
commencement of work with a further condition requiring that any temporary
infrastructure relating to foul/sewage drainage on the site has been fully
decommissioned and moved from the site when the permission ends
- Use of a
water bowser on haul routes, dampening of processing areas and processed
materials and to keep a log of dust-related complaints.
- Dust survey
to be undertaken for a minimum period of six months at agreed locations
and that crushing, screening, conveying and other operations likely to
give rise to airborne dust should be contained within an appropriate
housing.
- Construction
Environment Management Plan to ensure good practice and mitigation
measures have been established to protect the aquatic environment,
including: working conditions on the site and measures to control
environmental impacts such as HGV movements, wheel washing facilities,
vehicle sheeting, safe storage areas, air quality, working hours,
noise/vibration, waste and pollution control. Also, monitor potential run-off from
silt and waste materials to mitigate for the potential environmental
impact of the development and spill procedures
- Provision for
the recording of excavations within the Regionally Important Geological
Geomorphological Site (RIGS)
- Exact
specification of any external lighting could be the subject of a planning
condition as would be the removal of vegetation
- Mitigation
for possible impacts on the river environment (stand-off distance)
- Note to the
applicant referring to the consultation response of Natural Resources
Wales, Gwynedd Council Flood Risk Management and Coastal Erosion Service,
Gwynedd Public Protection and Welsh Water, referring to specific controls
within their remit
- Note to
applicant that the responsibility and subsequent liability for safe development
and secure occupancy of the site rests with the developer and/or landowner
- Note to
applicant that the application has been assessed in accordance with the
seven sustainability goals of the Well-being of Future Generations Act
(Wales) 2015.