Replacement waste transfer station at Highview Farm, Harefield

“The application seeks planning permission for the construction of a replacement waste transfer station building, together with the demolition of existing ancillary structures. The proposed development would replace the existing waste transfer station building with a purpose- built structure to support the ongoing use of the site for waste transfer, bulking and associated activities.The application also proposes revised hours of operation, extending activity to between…”

“The building would be used for the tipping, sorting, bulking and onward transfer of waste materials, with all primary waste handling activities taking place internally. The internal layout would comprise a series of flexible storage bays formed using moveable concrete block systems, allowing the operator to respond to different waste streams as required.”

“The application site is located on the north and south sides of Newyears Green Lane in Harefield and measures approximately 4.77 hectares in area. The site forms part of an established waste management complex operated by West London Composting Ltd. The site is split into two areas north and south of Newyears Green Lane.”

“The site lies to the east of Harefield, within a rural area characterised by open agricultural land. The wider operational site extends to land on both the northern and southern sides of Newyears Green Lane, accommodating a range of buildings, plant, hardstanding, storage areas and associated infrastructure linked to waste handling.”

“The wider Highview Farm site has an extensive planning history relating to composting, recycling and waste management activities since the early 1990s and operates under a combination of planning permissions and certificates of lawful use which establish the lawful waste management use of the land.”

“It should be noted that the wider site accommodates several distinct waste management activities operating under different planning permissions and certificates. The green waste composting and former in- vessel composting (IVC) operations, located on land to the north and south of Newyears Green Lane, are controlled through planning permissions which include a restriction limiting throughput to 75,000 tonnes per annum.”

“The site forms part of an established waste management complex that has been in lawful operation since the early 1990s and lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The proposed development would remain within the existing operational area of the site and would not expand the waste management use beyond the established developed area.”

“The proposal would support the continued operation and optimisation of an existing waste management facility, in accordance with the adopted West London Waste Plan. The new building would allow waste handling activities to take place within an enclosed structure, improving operational efficiency and assisting in the control of potential environmental effects such as noise and dust. The proposed extension of operating hours would provide greater flexibility in…”

“Planning Officer Response Comments received from Colne Valley Park 1. Increased HGV movements associated with the consolidation of waste transfer operations. The submitted Transport Assessment confirms that the predicted vehicle movements would remain within the existing planning condition limits for the wider site. The Highway Authority raises no objection and considers the uplift negligible in highway and safety terms.”

“Hillingdon Planning Committee 21 st April 2026 PART 1 Members, Public & Press  discussed in paragraphs 7.64-7.68 of this report. Potential impacts on wildlife not considered to be adequately addressed in the submitted assessments. An Ecological Assessment has been submitted and reviewed. It concludes that the proposal would not result in significant adverse ecological impacts. No objections have been raised by statutory consultees.”

“Officers introduced the application, took Members through the plans and made a recommendation for approval.”

“Members sought clarification on impacts to the Green Belt and proposed operating hours. It was confirmed that hours of operation were previously 07:30-18:00 Monday- Friday and at no time on Sundays or Public Holidays. Current proposal is to extend to 07:00-18:00 every day (including Sundays and Public Holidays) following stakeholder consultation to allow occasional weekend and bank holiday waste collections, helping to spread vehicle movements and reduce impacts on residents.”

“The officers’ recommendation, was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, was unanimously agreed.”

“GRANT planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory section 106 legal agreement to secure the heads of terms set out below, and subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 1.”

“B) That, in respect of the application for planning permission, the applicant Section 106 planning obligation (whether in the form of a Unilateral Undertaking or legal agreement) and any abortive work in the event that the obligation is not completed.”