Agenda item

Reserved matters application for the erection of a heat and power energy centre [Heslington Ward] [Site Visit]

The Committee considered a major reserved matters application, received from the University of York, for the erection of a heat and power energy centre.

Officers updated the Committee with the following information:

• Following publication of the agenda revised plans had been received which provided improved landscaping between the energy centre and the bus interchange and removal of the vents on the external walls and their incorporation in cowls on the roof. Officers confirmed that these changes addressed their earlier concerns.
• Amendment of Condition 1, to include details of the plans for approval.

·        Cllr Merrett had asked Officers to examine how the conditions could be strengthened to ensure that the university was committed to using sustainable sources. Confirmation that officers had re-examined the proposed conditions and proposed the inclusion of an additional condition to ensure that only biomass material was consumed at the heat and energy centre.

The applicant’s agent circulated the following plans for member’s information:

·        Details of the landscaping proposed for the site area.

·        North elevation of the building, detailing materials, ventilation louvers and cowls and the lowered flue and cowls.

·        Photomontages of four site viewpoints.

·        Sections through the site showing the revised flue heights and building sections.

·        Six proposed landscape cross sections of the site.

Representations in support of the proposals were received from the applicant’s agent. She confirmed that the development formed part of the university’s renewable energy strategy, which included a 10% reduction of its carbon emissions by 2010 and ensured that 10% of the energy demand would be from renewable resources. She went onto explain the landscaping proposals for the surrounding area.

Representations in objection were received from a representative of the Badger Hill Residents Group. He stated that they considered this a new application on which local residents should have been consulted at an earlier stage. He referred to possible issues of siting, noise, air quality and emissions and to concerns over the use of recycled timber or other fuels.

Representations in objection were also received from a resident of Field Lane. She confirmed that she supported green technologies but had grave concerns in relation to this application. She pointed out the close proximity of the adjacent residential area and to the height of the proposed chimney. As this was a new technology she confirmed that there was little information regarding possible emissions. She also questioned details of the fuel source and number of deliveries proposed to site.

Members questioned a number of points in relation to the application including:

·        The diameter of the chimney. It was confirmed that this would be no more that 1 metre in diameter.

·        Confirmation that the Secretary of State had included a specific condition in relation to noise when outline permission for the university campus had been granted. That no vibration issues had been identified in relation to the application and that existing university development was in closer proximity so it was in the applicant’s own interest to ensure that were no such issues.

·        Confirmation that the Environment Agency had specified that the biomass should be from a clean fuel source and that an Environmental Permit would regulate emissions.

·        Details of the number of fuel deliveries, its storage and the proposed routing of vehicles.

·        Confirmation that emissions from the chimney would not be affected by the landscaping when the trees reached maturity.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:             i) That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report and the following amended and additional conditions:

Amended Condition 1: The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following plans: 30080-P-356/J, D040.L.205/G, D1861-T-27-A, D-1861-T-20, D-1861-T-21, D-1861-T-22 D-1861-T-23/A, D-1861-T-24-B, D-1861-T-25/A, D-1861-T-26/C, 30080-13-P-0000-001, 30080-13-P-0000-02, 30080-13-P-0000-003, D040.L.206/F, D040.L.207/B, D040.L.208/B, D040.L.209, D040.L.211, D040.L.212 and D040.L.214G.

Additional Condition: The energy centre hereby approved shall consume, for the purposes of energy generation, only biomass material, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

ii)That the Chair, Vice Chair and Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development) be delegated authority to agree the diameter of the plant’s chimney flue. ^1.

REASON:                i) In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the principle of the use, scale and appearance of the building, renewable energy, landscaping, neighbour amenity, transport, sustainability and drainage.  As such the proposal complies with policies ED9, GP1, GP4a, GP5, GP9 and GP15A of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.

ii)To ensure that the chimney diameter is within reasonable limits and in the interests of visual amenity.