Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

The Officer presented their report to the Committee, after which Parish Councillor Simon Hollington, an Objector representing the local community, Mr Peter Martin, a Supporter and Chairman of the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust, and Mr Paul Goring, Director of Acoustic Logistic representing the Stow Maries Parish Council, addressed the Committee.

Members voiced concern over the requested increase in the number of flights and any potential adverse impact on neighbours.

The Chairman invited the Environmental Health Team Leader (Environmental Protection) to speak in regards to the item.

On addressing the Committee, the Environmental Health Team Leader (Environmental Protection) clarified that the perspective offered was impartial as and made the following points:

·       The request was an increase the limit of movements from twelve to thirty movements within a 24hour period outside of event periods. 

·       Thirty movements a day equates to a 2.5 times increase on the number of flights currently approved.

·       Thirty movements a day equates to an increase in noise levels to 4db.

·       4200 movements would need to be justified over a year, this averages out to eleven movements a day.  At present twelve movements a day are approved.

·       Excluding special event days, Officers had concerns over the type of aircraft expected to visit SMGWA.

·       It was accepted that the lowest adverse effect level will be approached.  This is in terms of area impact and is an intensification not a sudden impact.

·       The Noise Impact Assessment from Sharps Gayler LLP data is based on levels generated from a Cessna 172 which is the closest match to loudest aircraft on site.

On discussion of application concerns were raised on the closure of bridal paths during event days and over the impact on heritage buildings at the site, including the landing aircraft next to a listed building.  The Development Management Team Leader confirmed that the airstrips are 40meters and 60meters wide, it was noted that there would not be any harm to the setting of the heritage buildings. 

Members discussed that a short grass strip was suitable only for single engine, piston propeller driven aircraft, and that once in the air the aircraft are in the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  Members expressed concern that while the impact on neighbours was considered minimal, the increase in disturbance could have an adverse effect on local businesses and highways around the site.

Councillor Miss S White proposed that the application be approved but the maximum number of movements be limited to 900 flights per annum, this was duly seconded.  The Development Management Team Leader advised the Committee that whilst section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 enables the Local Planning Authority to amend conditions as it sees fit, it is appropriate to remain close to the changes that had been sought as these had been the subject of consultation and assessment.

Councillor M F L Durham proposed that the Officers recommendation to approve was amended to the following for the reasons as outlined above: to limit the maximum number of movements to 3000 over the course of the year, that daily movements were capped at 30 per day, and that on event days the number of movements would be capped at 120.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman put the amendments to the proposal to a vote and the amendment was carried. The Chairman then put the amended proposal to the vote and it was carried by general assent.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation andsubject to the following conditions:

1.         The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following

approved plans and documents: Drawing Nos 08/1002/31, 08/1002/22 and 08/1002/30 that are attached to planning application FUL/MAL/09/00250; Location Plan: TMA/734/01 Revision B; Noise Impact Assessment dated 20 September 2017; and Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening Report dated 13 April 2018. 

2.         The external surfaces of the two hangers hereby approved shall be constructed of materials and finish as detailed on Drawing Nos 08/1002/31, 08/1002/22 and 08/1

3.         No development related to the construction of the hangers approved by the permission, including any site clearance or groundworks of any kind shall take place within the site until the applicant or their agents, the owner of the site or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in a manner that accommodates the agreed programme of works.002/30 as submitted with planning application FUL/MAL/09/00250.

4.         A record of all flying activity and aircraft based at the site shall be maintained by the airfield operator and made available in a suitable format for inspection and copying by the Local Planning Authority at any reasonable time. Such record shall as a minimum contain dates, times, aircraft type, description of activity including runway in use and details of any public complaint associated with the activity.

In pursuant to the above, on the first anniversary of this approval and every two years thereafter, the applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, through the submission of a report from a competent person and using actual flight records, that the LOAEL of 50dB LAeq 12hr has not been exceeded at any property in the vicinity of the airfield except on “Special Public Flying Events”. In the event that an exceedance is identified the applicant shall prepare and implement a noise reduction plan to further control the number and/or type of aircraft using the airfield such that the 50dB LAeq 12hr is not exceeded at any noise sensitive property.

5.         There shall be no more than 15 aircraft in a flight worthy condition kept at the site at any one time.

6.         The type of aircraft using the airstrip for take-off and landing purposes shall be limited to fixed wing, single propeller driven aircraft. 

7.         No helicopters (unless in the event of an emergency), microlights, gliders or hot air balloons shall be flown or land upon the site.

                        8.         Aircraft shall only take off or land at the site during the following hours:-

•           October to March (inclusive) - 08.00 hours to sunset or 20.00

hours, whichever is the earlier

•           April to September (inclusive) - 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours

9.         No flying school activities or other training flights shall operate from the site.

10.       No more than 4 public events which include a programme of flying displays

(to be known as ‘Special Public Flying Events’) shall take place in any calendar year. Such events shall not exceed 2 consecutive days.  Such events shall be organised in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

11.       There shall no more than 3,000 aircraft movements (defined as a take-off OR landing) undertaken from the site during any one calendar year (1 January - 31 December). This annual limit to be subject to a daily limit, in any 24 hour period, of 30 movements (15 take-offs and 15 landings), apart from days on which Special Public Flying Events take place when the movement limit shall be 120 movements (60 take-offs and 60 landings).

12.       No charter or fare paying flights shall operate from the airfield.

13.       An investigation and risk assessment, in addition to any assessment provided with the planning application in relation to the hangers, must be completed in accordance with a scheme to assess the nature and extent of any contamination on the site, whether or not it originates on the site. The contents of the scheme are subject to the approval in writing from the Local Planning Authority. The investigation and risk assessment must be undertaken by competent persons and a written report of the findings must be produced. The written report is subject to the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority. The report of the findings must include:

(a)        a survey of the extent, scale and nature of contamination;

(b)       an assessment of the potential risks to human health, property,

controlled waters and the environment;

(c)       an appraisal of the remedial options, and proposal of preferred option(s).

14.       A detailed remediation scheme to bring the site to a condition suitable for the intended use by removing unacceptable risks to human health, buildings and other property and the natural and historical environment must be prepared and is subject to the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority prior to the construction of the hangers. The scheme must include all works to be undertaken, proposed remediation objectives and remediation criteria, timetable of works and site management procedures. The scheme must ensure that the site will not qualify as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to the intended use of the land after remediation.  

15.       The approved remediation scheme must be carried out in accordance with its terms prior to the construction of the hangers other than required to carry out remediation, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Local Planning Authority must be given two weeks written notification of the commencement of the remediation schemes works. Following completion of measures identified in the approved remediation scheme a verification report (also known as a validation report) that demonstrates the effectiveness of the remediation carried out must be produced and is subject to approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

16.       In the event that contamination is found at any time when carrying out the approved development that was not previously identified it must be reported in writing immediately to the Local Planning Authority. An investigation and risk assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of condition 13 and where remediation is necessary a remediation scheme must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of condition 14 which is subject to the approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.

Following completion of measures identified in the approved remediation a verification report must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of condition 15, for approval in writing of the Local Planning Authority.