Agenda item

Strood Rural Ward

Variation of condition 1 (Time Limit) on planning permission MC/20/2806 to amend the requirement for the discontinuation of the in-filling operation until 31st December 2027.

Discussion:

The Principal Planner outlined the application in detail for the variation of condition 1 (Time Limit) on planning permission MC/20/2806 to amend the requirement for the discontinuation of the in-filling operation until 31 December 2027.

The Principal Planner showed Members the calculation of loads required to complete the quarry in-fill, as stated in the presentation.  In May 2024, it had been calculated that the void remained at 346,370 m3.  For the completion of the in-fill 822 average loads per month would need to be achieved and they were currently completing 1,000 loads per month coming into site. 

She confirmed that after attending the site, a good standard was being maintained daily.  Wheel washing was in good order and being done regularly and the road sweeper was in use and would be used more frequently when required.

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Hubbard addressed the Committee as a Ward Councillor as his ward boundary aligned with the site.  Councillor Hubbard raised the following concerns:

• This ongoing in-fill of the quarry was controversial.  The work had been active for a long time and a further 3 year extension was proposed with a possible further extension.
• Local residents were unable to enjoy their gardens with the constant bleeping of machinery, noise and dust.  Everything being covered in dust had become detrimental to their mental health.
• Concerns received from Parish Council representations that further restoration and redevelopment of the Manor Farm Barn could not be carried out until the Manor Farm housing development was completed, when the money for the restoration would be available.
• There was a very urgent need to increase housing within Medway, he suggested consulting the developer to request different housing proposals for the 130 homes to be built within the quarry and access via Berwick Way.
• He requested a deferral of this planning application for a site visit.

The Committee considered the application and were disappointed with how long the development had taken to get to this point and asked if there would be a guarantee that it would be completed within the timeframe given.  The Service Manager - Development Management confirmed this was not a planning matter, however, the applicant had calculated they would meet the timescale given.

The Principal Planner confirmed that in relation to noise and disturbance, the hours of operation were: Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm and 8.30am – 1pm on Saturday.  A Management Plan was in place and to date, no complaints had been received and the Service Manager – Development Management confirmed that an acoustic fence had been installed.

The Principal Planner clarified that condition 22 dealt with the reduction of dust and was covered in the Dust Management Plan.  To help reduce dust, the in-fill was suppressed by water spray and no settlement period was required as the in-fill was compacted via rollers.

The Principal Planner explained that if the application was refused, the applicant could not continue to infill the quarry from December 2024 onwards, and therefore, the proposed housing development could not commence, which would also have implications for the proposal for the grade 1 barn.

The Principal Planner confirmed that condition 14, the restoration of the agricultural land on site, related only to securing the quarry fill and not the future housing development. 

Decision:      

Approved with conditions 1 to 26 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.