Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Retrospective application for the erection of a cement storage silo.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION: Permit.

46.7          This was a retrospective application for the erection of a cement storage silo at Overton Farm in Maisemore.

46.8          The Planning Officer advised that the application was for the retention of a silo. The silo was a cream coloured vertical steel tank 10.6 metres in height and was located in the utilities depot. The supporting statement had set out that the silo was essential to the applicant’s trenching works to allow storage of cement at the site and to run a volumetric concrete lorry to supply concrete for the trenching works. A Committee decision was required as the Parish Council had objected on the grounds that there was an unacceptable visual intrusion into the landscape. Due to those concerns, a landscape assessment had been requested and submitted on 13 August. The landscape assessment stated that, although sited on a hill, the silo was located within an active established utilities depot and close to large scale agricultural buildings, where agricultural silos of similar scale and appearance were an accepted part of the farming landscape. The Council’s Landscape Officer had been consulted and had concluded that, whilst there were clearly some views of the silo from points in the surrounding countryside, the impact on landscape character was minimal and the visual effect was restricted to glimpsed, filtered or longer distance views and did not significantly detract from the largely rural setting of the site. In terms of residential amenity, the nearest property was Woodcroft Cottage but due to the topography of the site and screening it was not considered that this property would be unduly affected by the application. Environmental Health had been consulted and following a request for further information was satisfied that there would be no undue impact. Overall, it was considered that the benefits the silo would bring to the efficient operation of the utilities depot would outweigh the harm to the landscape in this case and the recommendation was to permit.

46.9          The Chair invited the applicant’s agent to address the Committee. She advised that the application was for a small but important item of plant to assist with the operation of the utilities depot at Overton Farm. The applicant had been based at Overton for over a decade and in that time had grown considerably now being a significant employer with over 400 staff members. The company was very conscious, not just of its role as a significant local employer, but also being a good neighbour in the local community and was active in sponsoring and providing assistance to local groups. The applicant took pride in ensuring his site operated to the highest standards and had undertaken extensive landscaping and improved site drainage works around the site. The company continued to grow and develop the business remaining conscious of the need for resilience in what was an essential industry, hence the need for the cement silo. The silo would allow the company greater flexibility in undertaking its streetworks and meant it would be able to use its own volumetric trucks avoiding using third party concrete plants which regularly did not work timewise in terms of getting concrete delivered when it was needed – this would mean the company would be able to undertake quicker and more efficient works thus minimising the duration of any roadworks. The silo was a simple structure comparable to agricultural silos and, although it was 10 metres high, it was a very slim structure with a diameter of only three metres. It sat in the middle of an extensive yard with various buildings and activities all around and was not something you would notice as you drove past the site on a day to day basis. In addition, there were a number of mature trees which were the features in the landscape that drew your eye, and there was a considerable amount of maturing landscape which screened the depot and the silo and this would only grow and hide the depot further.

46.10        It was proposed and seconded and, upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED          That the application be PERMITTED in accordance with the Officer       recommendation.