Agenda item

Proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding an application for a proposed anaerobic digestion plant at Hulam Farm, Hutton Henry, Hartlepool (for copy see file of Minutes).

C Shields, Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included a site location plan, aerial photographs, site photographs, proposed layout and proposed elevations.  The Senior Planning Officer indicated the location of the four nearest properties to the proposed development, two of which were owned by Hulam Farm and two of which were privately owned by individuals.

Since the production of the report a letter of objection had been received from one of the residents of the privately owned properties.

Mr R Hepplewhite, agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee.  Mr Hepplewhite informed the Committee that the applicant welcomed the officer recommendation in the report and was content with the proposed conditions, adding that conditions 10 to 13 had been volunteered by the applicant.  There had been positive work with the planning case officer and all material planning considerations had been satisfied.  There were no noise or odour issues and no highways issues.  The concerns raised by Castle Eden Parish Council and by residents were not of such significance to refuse planning permission.

Councillor Wilkes referred to a previous application for a waste transfer station which had bene refused because the Council had a policy of not bringing waste into the County and asked whether the policy would be relevant to this application.

The Senior Planning Officer replied that Policy W2 of the Waste Local Plan was the Policy being referred to.  Policy W2 related to the unnecessary transport of waste into County Durham, and the application referred to involved waste being processed and then brought back into the County again.

Councillor Wilkes moved approval of the application.

Councillor Kay informed the Committee that he was supportive of anaerobic digesters which reduced waste going into landfill sites and lowered the carbon footprint.  Councillor Kay seconded approval of the application.

Councillor Clare considered that concerns about anaerobic digesters arose from potential odour issues, which came from the bays where the digester material was held and asked whether such bays at this development would be indoors or outdoors.  Councillor Clare also asked whether the proposed condition 7 in the planning permission would apply to storage arrangements.

Councillor Tinsley expressed concern that four residential receptors were close to the scheme, one of which had lodged an objection.  Councillor Tinsley was less concerned about odour nuisance than about noise nuisance from the digester.

The Senior Planning Officer replied that the gas equipment which would generate the most noise had been located as far away from the properties as possible.  The shed which would accept the waste would operate under negative pressure to ensure there was no leakage of odours.  The process would be a completely sealed system.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the conditions contained in the report.