Issue - meetings

1.       The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 23/02142/MINMAJ in respect of the installation and operation of an asphalt plant and associated ancillary development.

2.       Mr Alistair Buckley introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. Mr Buckley went through the potential impacts from the development in detail and addressed the areas of concern raised through received objections.

3.       Mr Buckley explained that a number of objections had been received regarding air quality in relation to the impact on racehorses and made reference to an appeal decision from 2015 for an asphalt plant at Whitewall Quary in Yorkshire. It was highlighted that this plant was 50 percent larger than the one proposed. The Appeal Inspector had concluded that emissions from the plant would be so low that they would be unlikely to affect the respiratory health of racehorses. Mr Buckley explained that in addition, when determining a 2017 appeal decision for a horse cremation facility at Wessex Saw Mill, Great Shefford, the Inspector had stated that due to a lack of substantive evidence to demonstrate otherwise, they had no reason to disagree with the Council’s Environmental Health Officer’s conclusion that there would be a low impact on air quality. Mr Buckley referred back to the Whitewall Quary case and noted that in upholding the Local Planning Authority’s decision, the appeal decision had taken account of the perceived harm to racehorses in the vicinity of the asphalt plant. The impact of perception on air quality had formed a material consideration within the context of a wider planning balance decision.

4.       In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

5.       Mr Russell Davidson provided an overview of the environmental permitting regulations for asphalt production, stating that the process was classified as low impact and that the plant would be subject to regular inspections. He agreed with the findings of the applicant’s Air Quality Assessment, which demonstrated that the impact on air quality would be insignificant and would not cause exceedance of air quality objectives for human health. No assessment findings on the impact of air quality on horses could be provided as there were no standards or evidence to compare with. Mr Davidson highlighted that motorways were major sources of traffic related air pollutants, which could negatively impact on health particularly of those living within 500 metres. Given that some gallops were located within close proximity to the M4, Mr Davidson was of the view that this would likely have a greater impact on air quality than the proposal. The full representation can be viewed here: Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 19 March 2025

6.       The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard stated that due to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3