NEWBURGH PARISH COUNCIL OBJECTION TO LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION LCC/2019/0028 FORMER PARBOLD HILL QUARRY JULY 2019
Newburgh Parish Council makes the following comments :
The scale of this application is huge and any adverse effects will be on the same scale. It is consistently referred to as “Phase 1”. However, as no other related application is currently extant, we have considered it on its own, as seems appropriate.
Traffic – To bring the required amount of infill material to the site will result in the region of 50,000 lorry movements – 25,000 laden and the same unladen. These movements will be taking place at the top of Parbold Hill – already a very busy A-road with a 60mph speed limit. The point at which they will enter and exit the site will become a bottle neck, a situation exacerbated by the fact that the entrance to the Miller and Carter restaurant car park is directly opposite. The danger of accidents and other problems is obvious. Such a volume of traffic over an extended period will have a severely detrimental effect on the whole of the A5209 and the villages, including Newburgh, situated along it. Recent traffic counts undertaken by Newburgh Parish Council revealed an already problematic total of 350 HGV vehicle movements over a 12 hour period on the A5209. In addition, the popular Lancashire Way long distance path crosses the road at this point and both walkers and runners access the right of way footpath between the site and the land belonging to Parbold Hall.
Loss of amenity – The tipping of such large amounts of material will have a seriously adverse effect on the surrounding area by way of noise, dust and disruption. Currently this spot is a tourist attraction well-known for its panoramic views which, on clear days, include the hills of north Wales. The landfill site has been unused for a considerable time and as a result the flora and fauna have been undisturbed. It is impossible to estimate the length of time it will take to complete the proposal – supplies of inert waste are market driven and therefore unpredictable. As a result, we regard the applicant’s proposed 2 years for the landfill to be completed is a highly questionable estimate – the longer the operation continues the more severe and long-lasting the effects will be. For example, in our experience of Round O Quarry, the proposed five year land fill operation actually took 20 years.
Monitoring – The Council’s experience with the Round O quarry which is within our Parish was a salutary one. Lorries going to and from the quarry came through the village, they regularly broke the 30mph speed limit and often had uncovered loads which spilt various types of material while going through the village. We reported breaches of the licence to Lancashire County Council on a regular basis but consider that the monitoring role had little apparent impact.
Green Belt – The current National Planning Policy Framework states:
(Para 141) Once Green Belts have been defined, local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance their beneficial use … to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity.
(Para144) “Very special circumstances” will not exist unless the potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm resulting from the proposal are clearly outweighed by other considerations.
Newburgh Parish Council strongly objects to this planning application.