Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J A O'Neill (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs A Bennett (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs J Beswick
- Councillor B Bowen
- Councillors N A Bradbury
- Doctor Councillor C M Cottam
- Councillor R Clayton
- Councillor G A Fairhurst
- Councillor J Hilton
- Councillor J D Hodgkinson
- Councillor Mrs B Jarvis
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon
- Councillor A Robinson
64 Apology for absence: Councillor W Carney.
65 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 8 January 2008 were approved as a correct record.
Items not subject to confirmation by the Council:
66 Dates and times of meetings 2008/09: The Committee considered a draft programme of dates and times of meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Panels for 2008/09. Cabinet at minute 207 had invited comments from Committees and Panels.
Resolved: The Committee endorses the draft programme of dates and times of meetings for 2008/09 now submitted.
67 Information items: There were no information items.
68 Planning proposals: The Committee considered planning and related applications which had been submitted to the Council. Reports and associated documentation and representations had been circulated with the agenda.
Resolved: (1) The decisions of the Committee on the planning and related applications are as set out in the schedule attached.
(2) In respect of application A/07/69474, to continue use of land for the storage and recycling of sustainable materials, retention of portable building/weighbridge office, 12 HGV parking spaces and ancillary car parking and 2.4m high fencing. (renewal of A/06/66834), Old Coal Yard, Cemetery Road, Ince, the Committee requests the Director of Environmental Services to consider the provision of additional street sweeping on Cemetery Road, Ince.
(3) In respect of application A/07/70129, erection of a building for the sorting and recycling of household and construction/demolition waste material, Bickershaw Salvage, Bolton House Road, Bickershaw:-
- although the proposals represent a departure from the development plan, they will not significantly prejudice the implementation of the policies and proposals of the development plan, and consequently the Committee considers that the application need not be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, as a departure from the development plan; and
- the Committee requests the Director of Environmental Services to consider the provision of additional street sweeping on Bolton House Road, Bickershaw.
(4) In respect of application A/07/70205, change of use of retail premises to taxi booking office, 2A Garswood Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield, the officers' recommendation was to approve the application with conditions. The Members resolved to refuse the application for the following reasons:-
1. The proposal would conflict with Policy G1A as it would result in a significant adverse impact on the amenity of the neighbouring residents on Bryn Street by virtue of late night noise and disturbance caused by the coming and going of the taxis and the patrons of the taxi office.
2. The proposal would conflict with Policies A1 and A1S of the Replacement Unitary Development Plan as it does not provide adequate provision for the parking or waiting of taxis collecting passengers from the premises which is likely to result in the obstruction Garswood Street to the detriment of highway safety and the free flow of traffic.
The motion to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor J D Hodgkinson for the above reason. He stated that he was not against a taxi business in Ashton-in-Makerfield, but considered that this was not an appropriate location so close to the junction of Garswood Street and Gerard Street as it would cause increased traffic congestion and would also cause annoyance and nuisance to local residents. Councillor Mrs B Jarvis seconded refusal of the application for the above reason and stated that she was concerned about the width of Garswood Street and the potential problems for emergency vehicles to pass through. The vote on the motion to refuse the application was carried by 11 votes to 1.
Applications Approved, Rejected Or Deferred By Committee
Planning Applications:
A/07/69233 The proposed change of use of a building from B2 (General Industry) to a transfer station for hazardous waste materials other than radio-active, clinical, explosive and infectious materials together with the use of the adjacent yard for associated access and parking.
Location: Former Foscolor Building, Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw (Abram ward)
Applicant: S. Blakeley
Letters from the Environment Agency and Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust referring to the development; e-mails and letters of objection from Rt. Hon I McCartney M.P. Councillor C Sweeney, Abram Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and local residents.
Decision: DEFFERD for site inspection
A/07/69474 To continue use of land for the storage and recycling of sustainable materials, retention of portable building/weighbridge office, 12 HGV parking spaces and ancillary car parking and 2.4m high fencing. (Renewal of A/06/66834).
Location: Old Coal Yard, Cemetery Road, Ince (Worsley Mesnes ward)
Applicant: I.J. Webb & Sons
Letters of objection from occupiers of 23 Elizabethan Drive, Spring View and The Coaching Inn Hotel, Warrington Road, Ince.
Decision: GRANTED (See also minute 68(2))
Conditions:
1. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on plan reference CR/01A received 28.1.2008 or any other plan agreed in writing as a working amendment by the Local Planning Authority.
2. The Rating Level (as defined in British Standard 4142: 1997 Method for Rating Industrial Noise Affecting Mixed Residential and Industrial Areas) shall not exceed the following levels at Spring Street, Cecil Street, Hope Street and Elizabethan Drive:
- Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00 50 dB(A)
- Saturday 08:00 to 13:00 50 dB(A)
3. Processing, crushing, sorting, screening and handling of materials shall not be carried out except during the following hours:
- Monday to Friday 08.00 to 17.00
- Saturday 08.00 to 13.00
4. Within one month of the date of this permission a scheme in the form of a dust management plan will be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval. The scheme shall detail controls to be employed to monitor and control dust emissions from the site and shall be fully implemented in accordance with a timescale to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority.
5. Within three months of the date of this permission the perimeter of the site shall be securely fenced in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include the proposed fence type, location of fencing, and details of a suitable colour coating to the external surfaces of the fencing.
6. The loading and unloading of vehicles shall not be carried out except during the following hours:
- Monday to Friday 07.00 to 18.00
- Saturday 07.00 to 13.00
- Sunday 08.00 to 14.00
Access and egress and unloading of material outside the above times will be permitted for contracts and emergencies that arise.
7. Any surface water that is to be discharged to the ditchline on the southern boundary must be uncontaminated. No surface water from the yard floor area shall be discharged to this ditch
8. Any development of the site shall be drained on separate foul and surface water systems. All foul drainage shall be connected to the foul sewers and only uncontaminated surface water shall be connected to the surface water system.
9. Within 3 months of the date of this permission details of arrangements to mitigate or compensate the air quality impact of the approved use shall be submitted for approval to the Local Planning Authority. The submitted details shall include a timescale for the implementation of mitigation and compensation measures. The arrangements subsequently approved shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved details.
Reasons:
1. For the avoidance of doubt, and having regard to Policy EV3A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
2-4& 6. To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining premises and the area generally, having regard to Policy G1A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
5. To ensure that the details of the development are satisfactory, having regard to Policy EV3A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
7. To avoid contamination of the surface water system, in accordance with Policy EV1B of the replacement Wigan UDP.
8. To ensure that the site is satisfactorily drained, in accordance with Policy EV3A and G1C of the replacement Wigan UDP.
9. To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining premises and the area generally, having regard to Policy G1A of the Replacement Wigan UDP and the Councils Supplementary Planning Document- Development and Air Quality.
A/07/70129 Erection of a building for the sorting and recycling of household and construction/demolition waste material.
Location: Bickershaw Salvage, Bolton House Road, Bickershaw (Abram Ward)
Applicant: C. Ingram
Decision: GRANTED (See also minute 68(3))
Conditions:
1. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on plan reference Site Plan - 01 and Elevations - 02 received 4.10.2007 or any other plan agreed in writing as a working amendment by the Local Planning Authority.
2. No operations associated with the proposed building shall be undertaken except on Monday to Friday between 08.00 hours and 17.00 hours and on Saturday between 08.00 hours and 16.00 hours, and at no other times including public or Bank Holidays, except with the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.
Reasons:
1. For the avoidance of doubt, and having regard to Policy EV3A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
2. To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining premises and the area generally, having regard to Policy G1A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
A/07/70205 Change of use of retail premises to taxi booking office.
Location: 2A Garswood Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield (Ashton ward)
Applicant: Bluestar Travel Limited
E-mail of objection from Councillor P A Tushingham; e-mail and letters of objection from local residents and local businesses; letter from applicant referring to the development.
Decision: REFUSED (see also minute 68(4))
Reasons:
1 The proposal would conflict with Policy G1A as it would result in a significant adverse impact on the amenity of the neighbouring residents on Bryn Street by virtue of late night noise and disturbance caused by the coming and going of the taxis and the patrons of the taxi office.
2 The proposal would conflict with Policies A1 and A1S of the Replacement Unitary Development Plan as it does not provide adequate provision for the parking or waiting of taxis collecting passengers from the premises which is likely to result in the obstruction Garswood Street to the detriment of highway safety and the free flow of traffic.
This application has been refused on the basis of the following plans GS01 received 31.10.2007
A/07/70322 To erect three detached dwellinghouses with associated attached garages, following demolition of existing farm buildings (Re-submission of A/07/69787)
Location: Land at Lucas Nook Farm, Bolton Road, Aspull (Aspull New Springs Whelley ward)
Applicant: A. Nicklin
E-mail of objection from Councillor C Ready; ecology consultants/surveyors inspection and assessment report in relation to bats.
Decision: DEFERRED for detailed drawings of the access to the site
A/08/70503 To retain covered canopy area to front of public house.
Location: Pit Pony Inn, 71 Low Bank Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield (Bryn ward)
Applicant: Daniel Thwaites Plc
Letters and e-mail of objection from occupiers of 69 and 80 Low Bank Road, Ashton in Makerfield; letter of objection from Councillor B Merry.
Decision: GRANTED
Conditions:
1. The use of the shelter to the front of the public house shall not be permitted other than during the times of opening covered by the hours stated on the alcohol licence.
2. Prior to the first use of the shelter hereby approved a cigarette bin shall be installed in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
3. There shall be no amplified music within the smoking shelter.
Reasons:
1-3. To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining premises and the area generally, having regard to Policy G1A of the replacement Wigan UDP.
(Councillor J D Hodgkinson requested that his vote against this decision be recorded).
