From: Bull, Richard [mailto:
Sent: 01 May 2009 16:06
To: Planning Apps
Cc: Simon Ford; Mark Davies;
Subject: PK08/2317/F - WX/2008/108594
South Gloucestershire Council
Development Control
The Council Offices
Castle Street
Thornbury
Bristol
BS35 1HF / Our ref: WX/2008/108594/05-L01
Your ref: PK08/2317/F
Date: 01 May 2009
Dear Mr. Ford
CHANGE OF USE OF THE SITE FROM A HIGHWAYS TRAINING CENTRE TO AN IN-VESSEL COMPOSTING FACILITRY TO COMPOST AND RECYCLE ORGANIC NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE, INCORPORATING CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED RECEPTION BUILDING, COMPOSTING TUNNELS AND MATURATION SHED AND ASSOCIATED WORKS AT LAND ADJACENT TO TORMARTON HIGHWAYS DEPOT, TORMARTON
The Environment Agency has recently received an Odour Management Plan for the above site, which was dated on 27 April 2009.
As you will be aware before this site can become operational it needs both planning permission from yourselves and an Environmental Permit from us.
Environmental Permit
Before my comments on the planning application (see below) I would advise that we are not able to grant the Environmental Permit at this time. Further details are still necessary in order for us to make final judgment on the permit.
Planning Application
Despite our stance over the Environmental Permit, the details we have received in support of the Planning Application mean that we can now conditionally WITHDRAW our earlier objection to the Tormarton IVC.
The withdrawal of our objection would be subject to the following conditions being included within the decision notice:
ODOUR
CONDITION:
The development shall include suitable infrastructure to control odorous emissions from the site. This shall include a doorway system, which controls access/egress so as to prevent escape of odours. These details shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The agreed infrastructure will be put in place prior to operations commencing on site.
REASON:
To prevent pollution of the environment.
NOTE:
The Agrivert system is by its design temporary containment.The system relies heavilyupon management systems being in place and adhered to, to ensure no odours or other environmental impacts have a significant impact on the locality. Odour dispersion is generally widespread and pervasive from composting sites and as previously stated in our experience can reach distances of up to 1.2 miles. Further containment could be provided which would further reduce the potential for odorous releases. As stated previouslybest practice and practical methods should be employed from the outset to minimise odour releases.
Further information has now been provided which shows a systematic approach has been taken with regard to odour control throughout the composting process. Therefore environmental impacts from odour should be controlled throughout the process if management procedures are adhered to.
The final maturation area must not give rise to either odorous or bioaerosol emissions. Further containment of this stage of the process would provide a more robust system of control. If this area of the process proves to be odorous, or to give rise to bioaerosol emissions further infrastructure may be required to fully contain this stage.
BIOAEROSOLS
Further information has been provided regarding the maintenance and monitoring of the bio filter.
The Planning Authority should take into consideration that should management systems put in place work as expected and odorous emissions are controlled throughout the process, then there is less reliance upon a fully contained system as a control measure. However should that management system fail for any reason, low level odorous emissions could potentially be released from the site.
Please note conditions requested under separate correspondence to your council dated 14 October 2008 remain relevant.
A copy of the subsequent decision notice would be appreciated.
We have sent a copy of this letter to the applicant's agent for information.
Please quote our reference on any future correspondence regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely
RICHARD BULL
Planning Liaison Officer
Direct dial 01278 484625
Direct fax 01278 452985
Direct e-mail