Agenda item

The Minerals Planner presented the report and outlined the reasons for approval as detailed in the report.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Mr A Wood – Objector

·         Mr Karl Pettit – Objector – representing Leek and District Fly Fishing Association

·         Mrs Sandy Potter – Objector

·         Mr David Potter – Objector – speaking on behalf of Ballidon and Bradbourne Parish Council

·         Mr Nick Atkins - Applicant

Some Members had visited the site the previous day.

The following points were noted:

·         The specialist advice had been received  by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) which is Derbyshire County Council and also the Environment Agency (EA).

·         Objections raised regarding flood risk had been relayed to the LLFA and assessed and considered by them.

·         The proposed monitoring and mitigation schemes have also been seen, assessed and considered by the LLFA.

·         Assessments have been carried out by the EA and the LLFA who have looked at the capacity, velocity and impact of the water course.

·         The EA currently conduct quarterly site visits to ensure compliance with water quality monitoring regime prior to discharge from site.

·         The  proposals will allow the operator to carry out real-time on site data monitoring of water levels in the Bletch Brook and water quality prior to discharge into the watercourse

·         The Minerals Officer explained the mitigation measures  are inherent with the proposed development and will be monitored and enforced by the Authority.  The EA will ensure compliance with the site’s discharge license

·         A further condition could be added to request the data monitoring happens more frequently and could include additional data loggers further down stream.

·         The flow rates were discussed and the meeting was adjourned to allow for data to be sourced to enable an informed discussion.

11:00am the meeting was adjourned and recommenced at 11:10am

·         The Minerals Planner, using data from the applicants consultants  hydrological impact assessment, explained the medium flow rates in the brook and the predicted increase in capacity.

A motion to approve the application, with the extra condition regarding the requirement for additional down stream real time water level monitoring to be agreed and implemented  was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to a Section 106 legal agreement. Permission is being sought for officers to agree a final schedule of conditions under the following headings:

1.          Compliance

2.          Timeframes

3.          Approved Plans

4.          Pre-commencement Conditions (covering construction            management plan; ecology, arboriculture and archaeology)

5.          Highway safety and management

6.          Environmental & Amenity Controls

7.          Ecology

8.          Biodiversity Net Gain, as per Schedule 7A of the Town and      Country Planning Act (1990)

9.          Archaeology

10.        Water Quality and Discharge Management

11.        Restoration and aftercare

12.        Annual Site Monitoring

13.        Minerals Planner to agree additional down stream water level monitoring location and subsequent installation and operation of        additional data loggers.