Agenda and minutes

The Chairman informed the Committee that Committee member County Councillor Robbie Marshall had passed away overnight. The Chairman invited members to stand in silence in Mr Marshall’s memory.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Reports of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills

Forterra Building Products Limited’s application for an eastern extension to the existing clay quarry with associated restoration

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application for an eastern extension to the existing clay quarry with associated restoration at Wilnecote Quarry, Hedging Lane, Wilnecote, Tamworth.

In accordance with the County Councils scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representations from County Councillor Michael Greatorex as the local member for the area who referred to new housing in the area, the condition of the entrance and the Hedging Lane and local footpath. The Committee also received representations from Mr Ian Briggs, on behalf of the applicant.

A member queried if the Committee had the remit to recommend improvements to the public highway mentioned by Councillor Greatorex.

The Committee were informed that there were no highway issues raised by the Highway Authority other than a requirement to improve the immediate access to the site and to agree to the route to the Strategic Highway Network.

Following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED – To PERMIT the application for an eastern extension to the existing clay quarry with associated restoration at Wilnecote Quarry, Hedging Lane, Wilnecote, Tamworth as recommended in the report.

John Pointon and Sons application for a renewable energy facility to provide electricity and heat to existing industrial operations at the wider John Pointon and Sons' site, including regrading of existing embankments

Councillor Mike Worthington declared a disclosable pecuniary interest and left the room during the consideration of this item.

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application for a renewable energy facility to provide electricity and heat to existing industrial operations at the wider John Pointon and Sons’ site, including regrading of existing embankments at John Pointon and Sons, Bones Lane, Cheddleton, Leek.

In accordance with the County Councils scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representations from Mr Stephen Brooks, on behalf of the applicant.

A member raised concerns around the external lighting and the light pollution in the area. The Committee were informed that there was a condition to ensure that the lighting was downward facing.

The Committee queried why there had previously been two granted permissions which had since been abandoned by the applicant. The Committee were informed that the previous applications were not viable.

The Committee also queried if there was a future possibility that the facility would be able to provide electricity to the local community. The Committee were informed that this was possible, but not a consideration at this time.

Members commented that the application had been through the fullest consultation and following a vote it was:

RESOLVED – To consult the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and advise that the Planning Committee is MINDED to PERMIT the proposed application for a renewable energy facility to provide electricity and heat to existing industrial operations at the wider John Pointon and Son’s site, including regrading of existing embankments at John Pointon and Sons as recommended in the report.

Greener Composting application to construct a biomass boiler facility to replace the permitted in-vessel composting facility at Manor Farm, Birmingham Road, Wall – amendment to the decision of the Planning Committee made on 5 October 2017

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer for a proposed amendment to the decision of the Planning Committee made on 5 October 2017 regarding the proposed application to construct a biomass boiler facility to replace the permitted in-vessel composting facility at Greener Composting Watling Street, Wall, Lichfield.

The Committee received a presentation by the Planning, Policy and Development Control Manager who explained that the modification to the recommendation previously made by the Committee that “should further wood fuel be required, it should only be wood fuel sourced locally in accordance with Policy SC2 of the Lichfield Local Plan” was not necessary or related to the development to be permitted

Following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED – To PERMIT the application without the modification to the recommendation previously made by the Committee as recommended in the report.

Report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructre and Skills

The Committee considered the Planning, Policy and Development Control – Half Year Performance report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee considered the ‘county matters’ and consultation with Staffordshire County Council dealt with by the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills under delegated powers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Chairman to move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

Part Two

(All reports in this section are exempt)

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)

(Exemption Paragraph 5 & 7)

RESOLVED – That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 October be confirmed and signed by the chairman.