Sewage sludge lagoon at Bladeley Hill Court Farm, Buckland Newton

The site and access

The lagoon lies within farmland on Bladeley Hill in the Dorset National Landscape, accessed by farm tracks forming part of the bridleway network.

“The site lies in central Dorset, within farmland, approximately 1km to the southwest of the village of Buckland Newton and located on Bladeley Hill. The area is attributed to the Upper Piddle Valley Character Area of the Dorset National Landscape (formerly AONB). The site is bordered by a hedge line to the North/Northwest with the ground sloping away to the east into the adjacent valley.”

“Access is provided through existing farm tracks which form part of the public right of way (PROW) network, specifically the farm track Bridleways S10/44 and S31/4 which links to the C road on Gales Hill.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Consultees generally raised no objection subject to mitigation, while twelve representations opposed the development over waste, odour, traffic, landscape, safety and pollution concerns.

“Dorset National Landscape (formerly AONB) Team Comment (received 16/10/24) regarding the following concerns • The unauthorised importation of material to construct the lagoon • The red line area for this application includes storage tanks and aggregate piles adjacent to the lagoon which are visible from a wide area with the tanks on the south side of the hedge being visible from relatively distant views from the east.”

“The location is unsuitable for the storage of waste • The waste is not suited to use as a fertiliser for agriculture • Impact of odour on the public right of way • Use of the Public Right of way by vehicles and the potential to prevent the use of this by pedestrians and other non-motorised traffic.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors described odour, sewage, waste-storage and rainfall concerns, while the agent explained the lagoon’s regulatory need, cover and local agricultural use.

What members discussed

Members questioned the cover, air quality, lagoon capacity, monitoring, waste management, fencing, retrospective submission and responsibility for maintaining the bridleway.

“Members questions and comments • Asked about the reason for the proposed cover, highlighting concerns regarding air quality. • Queried the level of fill of the lagoon and how this would be monitored. • Asked about the effectiveness of the cover, including how it would function. • Questioned why the waste was being disposed of on a small scale rather than at a professional facility, and the necessity of treating it on site.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to approve the officer recommendation was proposed and seconded, subject to the conditions in the officer report.

“Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Belinda Rideout, and seconded by Cllr Matt Bell, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted for the reasons given in the officer conclusion and update sheet.

“Decision: To grant for the reasons set out in Section 16 of the officer’s report and the update sheet.”

Minutes

Main conditions

Conditions require an impermeable cover, removal of above-ground equipment, hedge planting, maintained passing places, controlled tanker movements and a 1,250-tonne sludge limit.

“Planting Scheme A suitable Planting Scheme for the replacement of the area of hedge illustrated on Site Plan BP/241/P/01 on the southern boundary of the site shall be submitted to the Waste Planning Authority for approval in writing within 3 months of the date of this permission. The approved planting details shall be implemented in the first available planting season following approval.”

“Passing Place Details The passing places as illustrated on plan Passing Places BP/241/P/10 shall be maintained for the duration of the development.”

Officer report