Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on a position statement in relation to a Energy Recovery Facility (with Mechanical Pre-treatment) for the Incineration of Residual Municipal Solid Waste and Commercial and Industrial Waste, and Associated Infrastructure to Former Wholesale Market Site, Newmarket Approach, Cross Green Industrial Estate, LS9.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a position statement in relation to a Energy Recovery Facility (with Mechanical Pre-treatment) for the Incineration of Residual Municipal Solid Waste and Commercial and Industrial Waste, and Associated Infrastructure to Former Wholesale Market Site, Newmarket Approach, Cross Green Industrial Estate, Leeds 9.

Members were shown detailed plans and photographs of the scheme and had previously visited the site prior to the meeting.

Bob Prichard, Section Head, Development, Legal Services reminded the meeting that this was position statement only and for Members to note the content of the report and to provide feedback on the questions outlined in section 13.0 of the report.

Prior to discussing the application, Councillor E Nash raised her concerns that the Panel were being asked to consider this application when it was public knowledge that the contract on the incinerator had already been signed.

The Section Head, Development, Legal Services responded and confirmed that  when the application was brought to Panel for determination the report would deal with matters that could properly be taken into account in making a decision and that Members concerns conveyed at this meeting would be addressed within the final report.

Max Rathmell, Mineral Waste and Contaminated Land Manager briefly outlined the proposals contained in the submitted report.

Also in attendance was Gillian Macleod, Transport Development Services Manager who responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The Chair then invited questions and comments from Members on the specific proposals of the application.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The need for a possible roundabout in relation to lorries coming from the East on the New Link Road

(Mrs G Macleod responded and informed the meeting that it was a low traffic generator and that East Leeds Extension had been designed to accommodate access traffic in this way)

• The need to encourage lorry drivers not to drive on the ‘A’ roads
• The view expressed that it was not suitable for laying tarmac on concrete and that arising from the site visit a right hand turn was favourable for this location
• The need for more information on the tracking of major articulated vehicles was required
• Clarification of the route for vehicles entering, discharging and leaving the site
• Clarification of emission issues affecting Temple Newsam residents

(Mr M Rathmell responded and informed the meeting that the Environment Agency would advise on this issue. Although studies had shown that the emissions levels were low, it was suggested to invite representatives from the agency to address the Panel at a future meeting when this final application would be considered)

• The need for tests to be undertaken on the ambient air before the  application was determined and the concerns that the treatment of bottom ash off site generated unnecessary traffic

(Mr M Rathmell responded and informed the meeting that the authority already had ambient air quality measurements in the baseline section of the Environmental Impact Assessment and that regarding the suggestion that bottom ash be treated on site, there was insufficent tonnage for a viable operation, as it was land hungry and could generate dust)

• Clarification if the height of the chimney was in accordance with agreed procedures in view of the close proximity of Neville Close
• The need for the Panel to visit a plant in Sheffield
• Clarification as to why the plant was so large in size
• Clarification of the future plans in relation to combined heat and power for the surrounding areas

(The Chief Planning Officer responded and informed the meeting that officers were undertaking some work on European funding and the department were in agreement of the fundamental principle of doing this work)

• The need to acknowledge that this application had been previously debated in detail at Plans Panel East
• The need to address the hours of use, in particular operating on a Sunday and the period before and after a Bank Holiday Monday

In concluding discussions, the Chair put forward the following specific matters for Members consideration:-

- Whether an assisted visit with officers to Veolia’s existing Energy Recovery

Facility in Sheffield would be useful for Members of the City Plans Panel and the Members of the affected Wards prior to the decision-making stage;

- Any further detail or clarification they may require on the potential content of a legal agreement;

- Whether a discussion session with the Environment Agency in relation to the

Environmental Permitting process would be desirable at the decision-making

stage;

- Any further detail or clarification required in relation to air quality and health;

- Any transportation matters relating to the proposals;

- The layout and design of the facility, together with the materials and colour

scheme of the buildings / chimney; and,

- Landscape and visual impact from the proposed development.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That the Chief Planning Officer be requested to arrange a visit with officers to Veolia’s existing Energy Recovery Facility in Sheffield and to invite Councillor C Campbell and Garforth Ward Members.

c)  That in relation to the potential content of a legal agreement, further detail be submitted in relation to potential routings, employment (local) and on highway implications.

d)  That the Chief Planning Officer be requested to invite representatives from the Environment Agency to discuss emission issues when the final application was determined at a future Panel meeting.

e)  That this Panel agrees with the layout and design of the facility, together with the materials and colour scheme of the buildings/ chimney.

f)  That in relation to landscape and visual impact from the proposed development, this Panel agrees that the long views and landscape proposals were acceptable.

(The meeting was adjourned at 4.05pm at the conclusion of this item and reconvened at 4.25pm prior to considering the pre-application for the laying out of access and erection of circa 1150 houses at Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby, Leeds 22)