Agenda and minutes

The Committee observed a silence for 1 minute in memory of County Councillor Ian Lawson, a member of the Committee, who passed away recently.

The Chairman welcomed the new Committee Member Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge.

Councillor McMahon and Councillor Snape both declared an interest of item 4.b due to it being on the border of their electoral divisions. Mr Snape advised that he also sits on the Poplars Landfill Site Liaison Committee

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Reports of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills

To vary (not comply with) condition 4 of planning permission SS.15/14/6012 W for the importation of inert waste materials and topsoil to continue until 15 May 2024.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application by Wood Farm Golf and Leisure Ltd for the importation of inert waste materials and topsoil to continue until 15th May 2024 so as to complete the extension of the golf course for a further nine holes.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received a representation from Councillor C Steel from Essington Parish Council who, although not objecting to the application, wished to submit comments on behalf of the Parish Council.

Councillor Perry, as Local Member, informed the Committee that to refuse the application would not be beneficial to any of the parties involved. She added that she would advise a condition be put in place for this to be the last extension application and should they require a further extension then a completely new planning application be submitted.

The Committee discussed the concerns raised by the Local Member and the public speaker. Cllr Snape stated his views on the application and whilst he understood the reasons to approve this application, he did make the proposal (which he later withdrew) that Members go against the Officer’s recommendations. Cllr McMahon expressed his support with the Officer’s recommendations. It was also queried by Members that should the application be approved if it was possible to put an end time on the application. The Case Officer advised that should the applicants require a further extension they would be required to submit a Section 73 planning application.

Following a vote it was:

Resolved – To Permit the proposed variation (not comply with) of condition 4 of planning permission SS.15/14/6012 W for the importation of inert waste materials and topsoil to continue until 15th May 2024 at Wood Farm and Golf and Leisure, off Bursnips Road, Essington subject to the conditions including those listed in the report.

To vary conditions 1 (approved plans), 4 (cessation date), 5 (site clearance), 6 (expiry of permission) and 32 (surface water drainage) in relation to planning permission CH.13/09/721 MW.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application by Biffa Waste Services Ltd for the variation of conditions 1 (approved plans), 4 (cessation date), 5 (site clearance), 6 (expiry of permission), 30 (storage and management of digestate material) and 32 (surface water drainage) in relation to the Poplars Landfill Site, Anaerobic Digestion Facility.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at the meeting, the Committee received a representation from Mrs M Tappenden on behalf of the applicant supporting the application.

The Chairman reported that the Local Member Cllr Thompson had commented that although it would be ideal to see the site finished and restored fully, she understood that this wasn’t always a viable option. Having spoken to her colleagues and knowing that there were no comments from the residents in regards to the consultation on the application, Cllr Thompson had stated that she did not feel that she could recommend refusal of the application, however, she did have concerns about the area would be managed when the landfill site was closed and restored within the next 19 years as she believes this would then become an area where members of the public could visit.

Councillor Hudson proposed to support the Officer’s recommendations. It was also discussed by Members that almost 15 years ago there were numerous complaints due to the smells being emitted from the site, however, Cllr Snape stated that he had not received any complaints in the last three years. In response to a question by Cllr Trowbridge she was informed that the Section 106 agreement was almost completed in connection with the landfill application approved by the December Committee. The Case Officer also advised that there would be no increase in traffic movements as a consequence of approving the application.

Following a vote it was:

Resolved – As the proposed variation of conditions 1 (approved plans), 4 (cessation date), 5 (site clearance), 6 (expiry of permission), 30 (storage and management of digestate material) and 32 (surface water drainage) of planning permission CH.13/09/721 MW at Poplars landfill site Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Lichfield Road, Cannock is inappropriate development on land allocated as Green Belt in the adopted South Staffordshire Core Strategy, to consult the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities c/o the Planning Casework Unit in accordance with the relevant Direction and to advise that having regard to the matters referred to in the report, the County Council is MINDED TO PERMIT the proposed development, subject to the planning conditions referred to in the report.

To vary conditions 5, 6 and 7 of planning permission ref ES.21/01/501 MW following the temporary 'trial' period to allow the concrete product factory to continue to operate on a 24/7 basis, to allow bulk tanker deliveries to continue on Sundays and to allow the associated mobile plant to continue to operate at night.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application not to comply with conditions 5, 6 and 7 of planning permission ref ES.21/01/501 MW following the temporary 'trial' period to allow the concrete product factory to continue to operate on a 24/7 basis, to allow bulk tanker deliveries to continue on Sundays and to allow the associated mobile plant to continue to operate at night.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at the meeting, the Committee received a representation from Mrs S Gaskarth on behalf of the applicant supporting the application.

Councillor Jessel, as Local Member, had sent via email her thoughts on this application and indicated that since the trial she had not received any complaints about noise or nuisance.

The Committee discussed a concern raised by the Parish Council about the length of the permission, the link to the cessation of the quarry operations (2030) and the impact of the HS2 works being stalled. The Case Officer advised that there had already been a trial and that the length of the permission would be unlikely to change as the quarry is already ahead of schedule. Also, even though the operators have applied to extend the quarry, it is proposed to complete the mineral extraction before the end date (2030).

Following a vote it was:

Resolved – To Permit the application not to comply with (to vary) conditions 5, 6 and 7 of planning permission ref ES.21/01/501 MW following the temporary 'trial' period to allow the concrete product factory to continue to operate on a 24/7 basis, to allow bulk tanker deliveries to continue on Sundays and to allow the associated mobile plant to continue to operate at night, subject to conditions listed in the report.