Agenda item

It was noted that Members had visited the site on the previous day.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Mr Brooke, Objector

·         Mr D Higgins, Agent.

In response to Members’ queries the Minerals Officers stated that they would be responsible for monitoring the site and that there had been no complaints about it so far.  They confirmed that there was a market for both the slates and the stone and that this was the only quarry producing these slates.  The annual output market would have to be  covered as part of the S106 agreement.

Members were concerned over the progress of restoration at the current site and wanted to add additional conditions for on-going progressive, restoration of the site and monitoring. A motion for approval subject to a S106 agreement and the additional conditions on monitoring and a rolling restoration programme and the conditions set out in the report was moved and seconded.  This was voted on and carried.  Cllr Mrs K Potter requested that her vote against the motion be recorded.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to:

A Section 106 Legal Agreement entered into by the Applicant and land owners to include planning obligations to cover the continued operation of the quarry and associated development under the terms of the new permission from the date of that permission coming into effect, and the use of the stone for dimensional, roofing, building, walling and decorative purposes and for local uses within the Park.

1.    Development to commence within 3 years from the date of the permission.

2.    Duration for the winning and working of mineral to 30 September 3030and the removal of buildings and restoration completed by 30 September 2031.

3.    The site and approved details - development to be undertaken in accordance with the application details.

4.    Type of Mineral - No mineral other than gritstone to be worked and removed from the site.

5.    Output Restriction – Gritstone shall only be removed from the site for dimensional, roofing, building, walling and decorative stone uses.

6.    Mineral Restriction – Gritstone shall not be removed from the site as or in the form of aggregate.

7.    No retail sales shall take place from the site.

8.    Depth of working – the depth of working shall not exceed 15 metres below the current surface level shown on plan Ref: 032-001-007.

9.    Restoration – The site be fully restored to amenity (nature conservation) after use in accordance with the approved plan ref JA-032-001-008a.

10.  Decision Notice – A copy of this decision notice and accompanying approved plans and documents shall be held at the site and shall be available for inspection by the MPA throughout the duration of the development hereby approved.

11.  Prior to the commencement of the development, the area where the overburden is to be relocated will be agreed with the MPA.’(pre-ommencement).

12.  Working scheme including phasing – development to be undertaken in accordance with the phases of working in accordance with the approved plan Ref: JA-032-001-007.

13.  Soil Mounds - Details showing the formation of soils mounds are required to be submitted prior to the stripping of any soils. Subsoils are required to be placed above topsoil.

14.  Site access – No vehicular access for the development hereby permitted shall be used other than the existing access as detailed on plan ref: JA-032-001-007.

15.  Surfacing - The site access shall be maintained in a good state of repair and kept clean and free of mud and other debris at all times. A hard surface shall be provided within the site curtilage for the parking of operational vehicles and loading/unloading and manoeuvring of goods vehicles.

16.  Fencing – No extraction of minerals shall take place until livestock are removed from the entire working area and stock-proof fencing has been erected in accordance with the approved plan Ref: JA-032-001-007.

17.  Early cessation of working – In the event of a cessation of winning and working of minerals prior to the achievement of the completion of the approved scheme a revised restoration scheme shall be submitted in writing to the MPA.

18.  Submission and implementation of landscaping scheme for quarry.

19.  Biodiversity and habitat creation - submission and approval of details.

20.  Restoration, aftercare and management of quarry – Submission of restoration and aftercare proposals submitted prior to final extraction phase. 5 year aftercare period.

21.  Hours of working – 08:00 - 1800 daily Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 13:00 Saturdays; no working on Sundays, Bank or Public Holidays: except for environmental monitoring.

22.  Noise - noise levels from site operations shall not exceed 10dB Laeq1h above background noise levels or where the background noise is below 35dB Laeq1h shall not exceed a limit of 45dB Laeq1h.

23.  Blasting – No explosives shall be used on the site other than black powder explosives and these shall be for splitting stone purposes only. Blasting protocol to be submitted to the MPA for approval prior to any blasting taking place.

24.  Output and resource monitoring - no more than 4,250 tonnes to be removed from the site per annum; total amount of gritstone leaving the site shall not exceed 63,450 tonnes; provision of annual output records to Authority in January of each year.

25.  Site and Quarry access and transportation – no more than 6 lorry movements in and 6 out of the site per day carrying stone from the site; via the internal haul road; - the gross weight of the lorries shall not exceed 12 tonnes.

26.  Processing - No minerals shall be imported onto the site for processing. No mineral processing shall take place at the site.

27.  Quarry waste control - any overburden shall be used within the site for progressive restoration.

28.  Noise Control – All vehicles, plant and machinery operated within the site shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer specification at all times, and shall be fitted with and use effective silencers. No machinery shall be operated with the covers open or removed.

29.  Dust, Smoke and Fumes – make available facilities to include water bowser and locating machinery away from sensitive receptors and covering vehicle loads to control dust problems arising.

30.  Lighting - no lighting without Authority’s consent.

31.  Drainage and water pollution – prevention of slurry, no discharge of foul or contaminated drainage from the site; suitable storage of oils fuel or chemicals; no vehicle maintenance except on impermeable areas.

32.  Restrict permitted development rights (buildings, structures, plant machinery) colours of ancillary buildings; parking of plant and vehicles; and removal of ancillary development when no longer required.

33.  Monitoring

34.  Rolling programme of restoration to be undertaken.