Extended recycling facility hours at Suez Ts & Hwrc, Longley Lane, Manchester

What was proposed

The application sought to extend material reception from 06:00 to 22:00 every day, while keeping materials processing available 24 hours a day.

“Proposal Variation of condition 9 (hours) attached to planning permission 083920/FO/2007/S2 to allow operational hours of the site to change to 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday (including bank holidays) for material reception and 24 hours Monday to Sunday for materials processing…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The Materials Recovery Facility forms part of a wider waste management site beside the M56, railway line, Longley Lane and industrial area.

“The proposed application relates to the variation of an hours condition relating to the operation of an existing Materials Recovery Facility that operates as part of a wider waste management site that also includes a household waste recycling centre, a green waste processing facility and a refuse treatment plant…”

“This application relates to the South Manchester Resource Recovery Centre located on Longley Lane. The Materials Recovery Centre forms part of the wider waste management site that also includes a Household Waste Recycling Centre and a green waste processing facility, to the south of the site and a refuse treatment plant to the north.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and changes

The original permission set operating hours, followed by approved variations in 2008 and 2015, with the latter lasting one year.

“A subsequent application was made, in 2008, to vary this condition, to allow the Materials Recovery Facility to operate from 7.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Sunday for material reception and 24 hours per day Monday to Sunday for materials processing (085916/JO/2008/S2). This was approved on 18 April 2008., although there is no indication if this variation was implemented.”

“The current application again seeks to vary condition 9, of application ref: 083920/FO/2007/S2, to allow waste reception at the Material Recycling Facility between the hours of 06:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday (including Bank Holidays), and 24 hours Monday to Sunday for materials processing.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding no discernible negative effect on local residents and potential reductions in vehicle movements and peak-time congestion.

“Residents have identified traffic movements and traffic congestion as other issues associated with the site. The applicant has indicated that the proposed change would not lead to additional vehicle movements at the site and is to allow them to be staggered over a wider period and also to be reduced significantly in number, from the current level of approximately 25 per day, to 7 or under It is considered that this would have a positive impact in terms of reducing vehicle…”

“Residential amenity (general) - Residents have raised a number of concerns, many of which relate to issues currently caused by the overall waste management site and, as there are 4 different operations, on the site, it is difficult to fully pinpoint which element is predominantly creating the issues for residents.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways Services raised no objection, saying the proposal would spread travel activity and that predicted sound levels were below background noise.

“Highway Services - States that the technical note confirms that the proposal will not generate any additional vehicle movements or place any extra demands on existing parking arrangements. Extending operational hours will help to distribute travel activity more evenly throughout the day. The preparation of a Travel Plan should be considered to address any local concerns.”

“- States that the submitted acoustic report shows that the predicted sound levels, from the processing of vehicles and vehicle movements, are well below background noise levels at the times applied for, which is acceptable. They have also put a limit on vehicle movements, between certain hours, which should be adhered to. There are therefore no objections to the proposed variation.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Residents, councillors and the local MP raised concerns about odours, flies, noise, traffic, air quality, health and disturbance near homes.

“All the objectors complained about smells, odours and flies from the site, which they consider regularly impacts upon their homes and gardens, which impacts upon their physical and mental health.”

“The site is already a source of severe disruption to the local community. Residents from nearby roads have reported: Unbearable odours, particularly in warmer months, which force them to keep windows closed. Banging and machinery noise, especially in the early morning and late evening hours. Dirt and particulate matter settling on cars and properties within a day of cleaning, pointing to poor air quality and potential particulate pollution.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector addressed the Committee on behalf of the local MP and proposed tighter hours, vehicle limits, movement records and a complaints number.

Members’ debate

Members discussed whether vehicle movements were sufficiently limited, what would happen if the Bolton facility did not open, and whether a site visit was needed.

“Councillor Kilpatrick felt this would impact on residents as the conditions did not limit the number of journeys or movements. He questioned whether the suggest conditions from Tom Morrison MP were no greater than those references in the report already which was confusing. He asked what would occur if the Bolton site did not become operational and also, whether GMCA were able to decide on the number of movements.”

“Councillor Andrews moved the officers recommendation alongside amendments to the condition on the number of vehicular movements The Planning Officer stated that the number of movements was referenced at page 755 of the pack and this specific number of movements could be added as a condition. Regarding complaints, this was a wider site so this could not be controlled through this permission.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The Committee approved the application with an added condition limiting vehicle movements, subject to the report’s conditions and matters raised during debate.

“The Committee resolved to approve the application with an added condition regarding the number of vehicular movements at the site, for the reasons and subject to the conditions set out within the report and raised during debate on the item.”

Minutes