25/4899
A 20 Year permission for the backfilling of an exhausted quarry void (quarry registration ref: QR078) and acceptance, short-term storage and processing of construction and demolition (C&D) waste on-site, within an overall application area circa (ca) 11 hectare (ha). The development will consist of the backfilling of the quarry void (ca. 4.9ha) to a level of ca. 27 metres above Ordance Datum (MAOD) with either; 1) Inert soil and stone waste (imported inert greenfield and non-greenfield soils and stones and river dredge spoil which will result in the proposed development operating as a soil recovery facility that requires a waste management licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); or 2) Soil and stone by-product (i.e. essentially virgin soil or equivalent to virgin soil and stone) which will be notified to the EPA as an Article 27 by-product at its source of origin and transported as a by-product material to enable the site to be backfilled. The proposed C&D processing facility will cover an area of ca. 1.9ha and will operate under a waste management licence from the EPA. The development will also comprise of the construction of an inspection shed (ca. 140m2) and ancillary improvements to drainage and landscaping. The development will utilise existing infrastructure on-site including weighbridge, wheelwash, garage, car parking and welfare facilities. The application relates to development which involves an activity requiring a waste licence from the EPA. A planning permission of 20 years is being sought for the proposed development. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.
Core Refusal Reason
Traffic safety hazard and unacceptable risk to public safety due to increased HGV movements at a substandard junction on the national road network.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed increase in HGV traffic utilizing a legacy junction with restricted sightlines represents an unacceptable risk to road safety.
- The proximity of a private entrance to the existing junction further contributes to the creation of a significant traffic hazard.
- The development is considered premature pending the completion of necessary road safety improvement works on the affected section of the national road network.