Inert waste recycling plant at Cefn Graianog, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon

What was proposed

The application sought to recycle, screen and recover specified inert waste, producing soils, soil substitutes and secondary aggregates through physical treatment.

“The proposal would enable the importation, storage, treatment and blending of specified non-hazard- ous waste streams to produce soils, soil substitutes and secondary aggregates. The development would reduce reliance on landfill and lessen the need for primary (virgin) materials.”

“The proposal seeks to treat 50,000 tonnes of waste per annum, with a maximum of 20,000 tonnes (ap- proximately 10,000m³) stored on site at any one time. The applicant has listed the following waste types from the Waste Classification Technical Guidance WM3 to be imported and treated on site: • 01 04 08 – waste gravel and crushed rocks • 01 04 09 – waste sand and clays • 17 05 04 – soil and stones other than those mentioned in 17 05 03 • 17 01 01, 17 01 02, 17 01 03 –…”

Officer report

The site and its operation

The plant would use the existing quarry processing area, hardstanding, access arrangements and lagoon, with activities matching established quarry working conditions.

“This is an application for the operation of inert waste materials recycling, screening and recovery plant at Cefn Graianog quarry. The site is located at the established mineral processing area at Cefn Graianog Quarry utilising the existing infrastructure and vehicular access arrangements.”

“Material will access the site by the existing vehicular arrangements by road from the A487 and sur- face water will be contained and directed to an existing settlement lagoon for reuse within the quarry, with no off-site discharge. Operating hours and working conditions will align with those already es- tablished for Cefn Graianog Quarry.”

Officer report

The quarry’s planning history

The quarry has a long history of sand and gravel extraction, processing, restoration permissions and recent extensions to complete mineral operations.

“C20/1063/22/AC ‘Application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act to vary condition 1 on planning permission C16/0816/34/MW (proposed eastern extension for the extrac- tion of sand and gravel and progressive restoration) to allow a four-year extension for the comple- tion of minerals operations and a further year for the completion of restoration.’ – Granted permis- sion on 15/04/2021.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it supported sustainable waste management, used an allocated site and would not cause unacceptable landscape, environmental or amenity impacts.

“Section 5.13 of Planning Policy Wales and Policy GWA 1 are relevant to this proposal. Planning Policy Wales states that the planning system plays a key role in facilitating sustainable waste management, whilst ensuring that any adverse environmental impacts are minimised.”

“Although the site is allocated for waste management use, policy GWA 1 states that “Any new de- velopment must be suitable in terms of size and scale and must not have an adverse impact upon the landscape, the natural environment or the amenity and health of the local population. All new proposals for Waste Management facilities should be accompanied by a Waste Planning Assess- ment (as defined by Annex B of TAN21, Waste).”

Officer report

Public responses

Public consultation ended without comments from the public.

“Public Consultations: A notice was placed in the press; notices were placed in several locations close to the site and nearby residents were informed. The advertising period has expired and received no comments from the public.”

Officer report

What the officer explained

The Senior Minerals Officer explained the recycling process, existing infrastructure, environmental screening, policy support and the proposal’s economic and circular-economy benefits.

What members considered

The committee considered landscape, residential amenity, transport, ecology, flood risk, heritage, Welsh language and economic effects before finding no significant planning concerns.

“When considering Hydrology and Hydrogeology, it was highlighted that a small part of the site was in a flood risk zone, but also that an enclosed lagoon system had been designed to manage all water on the site as a self-sustaining system that would support the existing arrangements. It was not considered that the use of the system would have a significant impact on the flood risk.”

“In accordance with Policy PS 1, a Welsh Language Statement had been submitted. The application was expected to maintain the existing local workforce and support the use of Welsh in the workplace and based on the nature of the development it was not considered that there would be a negative impact on the Welsh language.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee delegated approval to the Assistant Head of the Environment Department, subject to conditions governing the site, operations, noise, dust, access and restoration.

“All vehicles, equipment and plant operated on the site will be maintained in such a way so as to restrict the maximum levels of noise emissions to those noted in the manufacturers' specification. Equipment, plant and machinery will not be operated on the site without appropriate sound deadening screens, casework, enclosures and silencers. 13.”

“Sheeting of lorries leaving and arriving at the site with stones or material that are less than 500mm. Restriction of vehicular access to existing access arrangements. A copy of this determination and the approved plans showing the method and direction of working and restoration shall be displayed in the operator's site office at all times during the life of the site. 18.”

Minutes