Agenda item

Extraction of remaining limestone reserves and revised working area for extraction of Basal Permian sand for 15 years until 2030, relocation of internal haul road and a scheme for the progressive and final restoration of the site.

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding an application for the extraction of remaining limestone reserves and revised working area for the extraction of Basal Permian sand for 15 years until 2030, relocation of internal haul road and a scheme for the progressive restoration of the site (for copy see file of Minutes).

C Teasdale, Principal Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, site photographs looking west, east towards the A1(M) and the area west of the C69 and phases 1, 2 and 3 of site working and the site restoration masterplan.  Members of the Committee had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with the proposed development and its relationship with its surroundings, given its nature and scale.

The Principal Planning Officer informed the Committee of the following amendments to the proposed conditions:

·         Condition 1 – add ‘Figure 6.7 Geological Sections’ to the list of approved documents, and

·         Condition 75 – add agricultural land and waterbodies to the list of after uses.

Councillor Robinson thanked the Principal Planning Officer for the quality of the report and for the site visit which had taken place.

Mr D Atkinson, Estates Manager for the applicant addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Thrislington Quarry was long established and supplied significantly to Durham and the north East region.  It operated to environmentally acceptable standards and held regular liaison meetings with the community, Parish Councils and local Councillors.

Councillor Clare informed the Committee that the economic imperative of the application carried weight.  Any issues raised about the application related to working procedures which were not material planning issues.  The restoration proposals were for the future and all relevant bodies were satisfied with the application.  Councillor Clare moved approval of the application.

Councillor Jewell informed the Committee that the operation at Thrislington Quarry was a complex but well managed operation.  Councillor Jewell seconded approval of the application.

Councillor Tinsley informed the Committee that the principle of development had been established for 60 years.  The application would secure the maintenance of 81 jobs on the site.  No objections to the application had been received and while it would create some disturbance in the area, this was long-established.  The application was in accordance with the Development Plan and Councillor Tinsley supported approval of it.

Councillor Shield sought clarity on the restoration and aftercare of the site, particularly the issue of settlement.  He also sought clarity about the end date as the application was for 15 years until 2030, whereas 15 years from 2017 would be 2032.

The Principal Planning Officer replied that the application was for a period until 2030 and this was covered by condition 5 of the permission.  The application was submitted two years ago and this brought the 15 years extension to 2030.  The restoration of the site would not see it being brought back up to original ground levels instead it would be a low level restoration and bulkage like on surface coal mining schemes would not be an issue.

Councillor A Bell informed the Committee that the current facility was well-managed and he was pleased to hear that liaison took part with the wider community.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the following:

• lorry routing;
• submission of an annual report detailing sales and reserves of mineral extracted, a topographical survey, noise, dust and blast monitoring results, a review of wheel wash facilities; details of rail use and details of investigations into increasing its use, complaint details and a site working review;
• 20 years additional aftercare, and
• a commitment to enter into a Section 39 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) for the long term in perpetuity management of the site.

and the conditions contained in the report, as amended.