To receive Report No. 111/2021 from the Strategic Director of Places

Report No. 111/2021 was received from the Strategic Director of Places.

Item 1 – 2020/0297/MIN - Greetham Quarry, Thistleton Lane, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7RJ

(Parish: Greetham; Ward: Greetham)

It was confirmed that following further representations from Greetham Parish Council, this item had been withdrawn and would be considered at a future meeting once further investigations had taken place.

Items 2 and 3 - 2020/0971/MIN and 2020/0972/MIN – Greetham Quarry, Stretton Road, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7NP

(Parish: Greetham; Ward: Greetham)

Nick Hodgett, Principal Planning officer, addressed the Committee and gave an executive summary of the applications, recommending approval subject to the conditions set out in the report and addendum.

Prior to the debate, the Committee heard from David Hodson as an objector to the recommendation, Ken Edward from Greetham Parish Council and John Gough as the agent for the application. These speakers also had the opportunity to take questions from the Committee.

During debate several Members expressed concerns on the delays in the restoration and on enforceability if the applications were approved. Justin Johnson, Development Manager, set out how the proposed conditions would address these concerns such as through requiring submission of a phasing plan for the restoration works and submission of quarterly monitoring reports. It was also clarified that legal responsibility for the removal of non-native invasive weeds present at the site lay with the landowner but the proposed additional condition in the addendum would require action to be undertaken.

When speaking in the debate as Ward Member, Councillor N Begy asked if it would be possible to approve the applications, but with the proposed phasing plan for restoration to be agreed in consultation with the Ward Member and Parish Council, the Committee to be regularly updated on progress against the phasing plan, and that a letter be written and sent to the landowner setting out the Committee’s concerns on the presence of non-native invasive weeds. The Development Manager confirmed these actions were possible if agreed by Members.

Councillor M Oxley moved that both applications be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report and addendum, and the additional measures suggested by Councillor Begy. This was seconded and the Chair explained he would take a separate vote on each of the two applications.

A vote was taken on application 2020/0971/MIN and with 9 votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

A vote was taken on application 2020/0972/MIN and with 9 votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

1)     That applications 2020/0971/MIN and 2020/0972/MIN be APPROVED subject to the conditions set out in the report and addendum and;

2)     The Ward Member and Parish Council be consulted before approval of the phasing plan for restoration works by the Mineral Planning Authority.

3)     Members of the Committee be provided with regular updates of progress against the phasing plan for restoration works.

4)     That a letter be written to the landowner setting out the Committee’s concerns over the presence of non-native invasive weeds. 

The list of conditions can be found on the planning application page of the Council’s website

https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/planning/view-planning-applications-and-decisions/