Temporary landfill access road at Seaton Meadows Landfill Site Brenda Road, Hartlepool

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective approval for a changed access, temporary road, site infrastructure and mitigation to complete permitted landfill operations.

“Planning Committee – 21 January 4.1 54 3 - 4.1 Planning 21.01.26 Planning apps Hartlepool Borough Council PROPOSAL 3.3 The application seeks retrospective planning permission for the change of site access and incorporation of a temporary access road, site infrastructure and integrated mitigation measures to allow for completion of the consented landfill operations (which must be completed by 31/12/2027 in accordance with planning permission H/2010/0496).”

“The road is approximately 670m in length by approximately 8m in width and runs southwards from the Seaton Meadows Landfill Site through the former Halls Landfill Site, and is constructed from a concrete surface which the applicant indicates is to limit the transfer of dust and mud onto nearby roads. The main section of the access road is level but does rise in level to where it meets the waste transfer area.”

Officer report

Earlier landfill permissions

The landfill began in the 1980s, with later permissions consolidated and a 2012 refusal subsequently allowed on appeal.

“These planning permissions were consolidated in CM/H/14/93, and extended by H/FUL/0683/97 and H/2010/0496; CM/H/14/93 – Proposal to extend landfill by land raising, extraction of clay and formation of nature reserve. Cleveland County Council application, approved September 1994. H/FUL/0683/97 - Clay extraction, backfilling with waste materials and phased restoration to create a nature reserve, approved June 1998.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Forty-six objections raised concerns including pollution, odour, traffic, dust, ecology, watercourse pollution, safety, fires and the retrospective nature of the application.

“Planning Committee – 21 January 4.1 56 3 - 4.1 Planning 21.01.26 Planning apps Hartlepool Borough Council 3.16 The closest residential properties are approximately 300m to the north adjacent to De Havilland Way in Seaton Carew. Mayfair Lodge (which has a ‘minded to approve’ decision subject to the completion of a S106 agreement for visitor accommodation) is approximately 75m to the north.”

“Re- consultations have been undertaken on receipt of amended technical documents. To date, there have been 46 objections. The objections and concerns raised can be summarised as: -Air pollution -Impacts on wellbeing of neighbours from odour, debris, flies and gulls -Impact on hedge and detriment to SSSI and nature reserve -Toad crossing point and impacts to toads, hedgehogs, hares and grey partridge -Ecological Impact Assessment is incorrect -Increased and speeding HGV…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the committee about the completion deadline, temporary works, restoration, regulation and surface-water drainage.

Questions from members

Members asked about leachates and whether the road would increase waste deliveries; the applicant said leachates were separate and waste would not increase.

“In response to a question from a Member around leachates, the applicant advised this was a separate issue which related to the landfill itself and was regulated by the Environment Agency through the permit. This application was in relation to the access road only which generated surface water run off (not leachate) appropriate surface water and drainage management would be in place.”

“A Member queried that the access road would expedite the end of the site but would not increase the amount of waste coming onto the site. The applicant confirmed this.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Little moved approval under the officer recommendation, Councillor Thompson seconded it, and the application was unanimously approved.

“Councillor Little moved that this application be approved as per the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Thompson.”

“The application was unanimously approved.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved for the access road and infrastructure, with landfill use ending in 2027 and the temporary works then removed.

“This permission solely relates to the provision of the access road and associated infrastructure and it does not authorise any deviation in respect to the use of part of the site/adjacent site as a landfill and its subsequent restoration as governed by planning permission H/2010/0496. To be consistent with the related planning permission for the landfill H/2010/0496.”

“The use of the access road hereby approved for the purposes to facilitate landfilling of waste shall cease on 31.12.2027 and it shall only be used thereafter for the restoration of the site/adjacent site in accordance with planning permission H/2010/0496.”

Minutes