Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/19/030

Planning Application- (i) Replacement of existing heating systems with Ground Source Heating System and associated pipe route and (ii) External plant room

(Councillors Susan Glossop and Ian Houlder declared non-pecuniary interests in this item as they were two of the St Edmundsbury Borough Council appointed representatives on the West Stow Anglo Saxon Village Trust.  They would remain in the meeting and take part in the debate and voting thereon.)

Planning Application- (i) Replacement of existing heating systems with Ground Source Heating System and associated pipe route and (ii) External plant room

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee as St Edmundsbury Borough Council was the applicant.

The Parish Council had no objections to the proposal.  Officers were recommending that the application be approved, subject to conditions as set out in Paragraph 43 of Report No DEV/SE/19/030.

Councillor Susan Glossop raised queries in relation to the responses included within the report from statutory consultees.  The Service Manager (Planning – Development) confirmed that all matters referred to within the report had been resolved via negotiation with relevant parties.

Councillor John Burns raised a specific question with regard to the comments made by the Arboricultural Officer in Paragraph 6.  He asked how the drill water would be disposed of and how any potential contamination would be managed.

The Case Officer explained that condition No 5 required a Construction Method Statement this matter was covered as part of this requirement at point (vii).

It was moved that the application be approved as per the Officer recommendation and duly seconded.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than 3 years from the date of this permission.
2. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents.

3.   All groundworks must only take place outside of the bird breeding season which is considered to be between February and October inclusive.

4.   Notwithstanding the details in the Arboricultural Method Statement (P1309 – AMS 01 V2) and the Tree Protection Plan (P1309 - TPP01), prior to commencement of development a revised Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Statement shall update the submitted documents as follows:

a.       extension of the construction exclusion zone up to the ablution block over the trees to be protected,

b.       Indicate the location and root protection area of all trees omitted from the original plan and located adjacent to the works in particular those located along the proposed ablution block connection pipe

c        Detail vehicle access routes and required ground protection

d.       Detail the location of site facilities and storage during construction

e.The Councils Arboricultural Officer shall be informed when the tree protection fencing has been installed.

Thereafter, development shall proceed in accordance with these revised details.

5.   Construction Method Statement:

Prior to the commencement of development, including any works of demolition, a Construction Method Statement shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved Statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period. The Statement shall provide for:

i)        The parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors

ii)       Loading and unloading of plant and materials 

iii)      Site set-up including arrangements for the storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development and the provision of temporary offices, plant and machinery

iv)      The erection and maintenance of security hoarding including external safety and information signage, interpretation boards, decorative displays and facilities for public viewing, where appropriate 

v)       Wheel washing facilities

vi)      Measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction 

vii)     A scheme for recycling/disposing of waste resulting from the works including for the release of drilling water.

viii)    Hours of construction operations including times for deliveries and the removal of excavated materials and waste

ix)      Noise method statements and noise levels for each construction activity including piling and excavation operations

x)       Access and protection measures around the construction site for pedestrians, cyclists, other recreational users  and walkers on St Edmunds Way and Lark Valley path including arrangements for diversions during the construction period and for the provision of associated directional signage relating thereto.

6.   No development shall take place until a landscape restoration plan for the site drawn to a scale of not less than 1:500 has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The soft landscaping details shall include planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/ densities. The approved works shall be implemented not later than the first planting season following commencement of the development (or within such extended period as may first be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority). Any planting removed, dying or becoming seriously damaged or diseased within five years of planting shall be replaced within the first available planting season thereafter with planting of similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent for any variation.