Committee PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
Date of Meeting 2 February 2010
Types of Application COUNTY MATTER
Application No 09/00200/CCM
Proposal Upgrade of existing sewage treatment works including
demolition of existing pumping station, refurbishment of
garage building, 2 new primary settlement tanks, new
humus tank and new sludge tank at Bellingham Waste
Water Treatment Works, Bellingham.
Applicant/Agent Northumbrian Water Ltd, per
MWH UK Ltd
Plessey Road,
Pity Me,
County Durham,
DH1 5FJ
Date of Receipt 23 November 2009
1. Introduction
1.1. Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works (STW) is located within the village of
Bellingham located approximately 22km to the north west of Hexham. The
application site is located to the south of the village. There are residential
properties on Boat Road to the north and east, agricultural fields to the
south and the River Tyne to the west. It is proposed to refurbish the
existing site to improve the facilities and minimise the risk of compliance
failures. The proposed works would ensure compliance with the Urban
Waste Water Directive 91/271/EEC.
2. Consultations
County Highways
No objection subject to conditions.
Bellingham Parish Council
Awaited.
Environment Agency
No objection.
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works
County Archaeologist
No objection.
County Ecologist
No comments received.
Natural England
No comments received.
Environmental Health
Raise concerns regarding the potential noise resulting from the proposed
development and the potential for light spill out side the site boundary.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust
No objection. Recommends the provision of an otter proof fence.
3. Publicity
3.1. The application has been advertised by site notice and neighbouring
properties have been consulted directly by letter. No letters of
representation have been received.
4. Details
4.1. The existing treatment works are contained within a fenced compound
measuring approximately 18 metres by 11.5 metres. Within this compound
are sited a number of above and below ground installations including
tanks, a pumping station, various chambers, maintenance building and
hardstanding. The proposed works include the replacement and/or
alteration of various elements of the installation including:
demolition of the existing pumping station, balancing tank, two primary
tanks and humus tank, sewage pumps and inlet pumping station
modification of existing wells and electrical and mechanical equipment
provision of new humus tank, sludge tank with associated pipework,
passive odour systems and washwater pumping station
refurbishment of the garage
construction of two new settlement tanks with half bridge scrapers and
associated chambers
new pipework, cable ducts and drawpits, railings and access platforms,
road footpaths and landscaping throughout the site
decommissioning and transportation off site of the temporary treatment
units
installation of valves, penstocks and scrum boards across the site
4.2. Most of the work proposed can be undertaken by the statutory undertakers
as permitted development under Schedule Part 16 and Part 17 of the
General Permitted Development Order 1995. Works requiring permission
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works
on the site are the construction of the two settlement tanks, distribution and
desludging chambers, sludge storage tank and sludge pumping station.
4.3. The existing facilities do not adequately minimise the risk for failures for
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and suspended solids or provide a
safe access for operation and maintenance personnel. The proposed
settlement tanks would have a diameter of 7.2m and protrude above
ground by 1.5m with a total depth of 4.9m. Half bridge scrapers would be
installed to a height of 1.3m above the top of the tank. The proposed
desludging chambers would have a diameter of 2.95m and protrude 1.9m
above ground with a total depth of 4.8m. The distribution chamber would
be 2.55m by 2.95m with 2.7m protruding above ground level. The sludge
pumping station would measure approximately 2.63m by 2.63m and
protrude above ground by 2.5m with a total depth of 6.14m. All these
structures would be constructed of concrete. The sludge storage tank
would have a diameter of 4.8m and a height of 4.8m. It would be
constructed of glass coated steel mounted on a concrete plinth. These
structures would be installed to the north of the application site.
5. Policy Considerations
5.1. Saved Policy SE1 of the Northumberland Waste Local Plan states that any
development at Sewage Treatment Works will be permitted provided that
they are required to improve waste water and sewage discharge standards
and will have a minimal impact on surrounding communities.
5.2. Policy GD5 of the Tynedale Local Development Framework Core Strategy
states that the potential implications for flood risk must be taken into
account and developers must appropriately assess flood risk of a
development site. Saved Policy CS26 of the Tynedale District Local Plan
states that developments which will enable water and sewerage
undertakers to meet their statutory obligations with be permitted.
6. Appraisal
6.1. The main issues for consideration relating to this application are the need
for the upgrading works and the potential impact on visual and residential
amenity.
6.2. National and European legislation seek to improve water quality and the
treatment of waste. Much of the existing units on site are of a temporary
nature. The proposal would provide permanent facilities and refurbish
existing plant to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
6.3. The proposed structures would be constructed to the north of the
application site adjacent to the site boundary. The nearest residential
property shares the northern boundary of the site. The site is screened on
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works
all sides by existing landscaping and fencing however some of the taller
installations are visible above the fencing. The proposed structures would
replace existing temporary units and be viewed in relation to the remaining
existing structures on site. It is considered that the proposed structures
would not have an unacceptable impact on visual or residential amenity.
6.4. The proposed refurbishment works would result in a change of equipment
on site. The nearest residential property shares the northern boundary of
the site adjacent to the proposed works. Environmental Health have raised
some concerns regarding the potential for noise disturbance during
construction and following the installation of the equipment and light spill
as a result of proposed lighting. It is therefore recommended that
conditions requiring works to be carried out at specified times and the
submission of an acoustic survey and installation of required mitigation
prior to the commencement of development are included with any
permission. In addition it is recommended that a condition preventing the
installation of floodlighting or external lighting until details have been
agreed by the Waste Planning Authority is included. It is considered that
subject to the conditions recommended above the proposal is acceptable
in terms of impact on residential amenity.
6.5. The ecology survey submitted with the application indicates the presence
of otters in the local area. Northumberland Wildlife Trust have
recommended that secure boundary fencing should be installed to prevent
otters accessing the site. The site is currently bounded by secure fencing
which is considered adequate to minimise access to the site by otters.
However, a condition is recommended to ensure that the existing fencing
is maintained throughout the life time of the site.
7. Conclusion
7.1. The proposal to upgrade Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works would
provide improved infrastructure and provision to deliver improved
standards on waste water discharge. The proposal would achieve this aim
without a significant adverse impact on visual or residential amenity or on
the local environment. It is therefore considered that the proposed
development accords with development plan policies and it is
recommended that planning permission be granted as set out below.
1. Recommendation
1.1 GRANT PERMISSION for the following reason and subject to the planning
conditions set out below.
Reason
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works
1.2 In the opinion of the Waste Planning Authority the proposed upgrading of
Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works would allow for improvements to the
capacity of the installation and quality of water being discharged without
having significant adverse impacts on visual or residential amenity or on
the environment of the surrounding area. The development therefore
accords with Policy SE1 of the Northumberland Waste Local Plan and
Policy GD5 of the Tynedale Local Development Framework Core Strategy
and Policy CS26 of the Tynedale District Local Plan.
Conditions
1. The development hereby permitted must be commenced within three
years from the date of this permission.
2. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise
than in complete accordance with the plans and specifications
included in reports RT-NN-1717-01, RT/NBE/NE09/0216/02.00,
RT/NBE/NE09/0176/01.00, RT/NBE/NE09/0171/01.00 and
RT/NBE/NE09/0175/01.00 received on 23 November 2009, approved
by the Waste Planning Authority.
3. Any work on site concerned with this development shall only take
place between the following times:-
8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday;
8:00 to 13:00 Saturday; and
No work or deliveries on Sunday or Bank Holidays;
unless otherwise agreed in advance with the Waste Planning
Authority.
4. Prior to commencement of the development, an acoustic survey shall
be undertaken, submitted and approved in writing by the Waste
Planning Authority, which shall include attenuation measures if
necessary to protect neighbouring residential properties from the noise
impacts of the development.
5. No floodlighting or other form of external lighting shall be installed on
the site until details have been submitted to and approved in writing by
the Waste Planning Authority. Thereafter, the floodlighting shall not be
installed other than in accordance with the approved details.
6. Secure fencing around the boundary of the site shall be maintained for
the life time of the site.
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works
Reasons
1 To ensure that the development is commenced within a
reasonable time period from the date of this permission.
2 To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance
with the approved details.
3-4 In the interests of nearby residential amenity to restrict noise
impact.
5 In the interests of nearby residential amenity to restrict light
pollution.
6 In the interest of ecology.
Contact Officer:
For further information contact Sarah Laverick on 01670 533968
Background papers:
Development Control Files: 09/00200/CCM
09/00200/CCM Bellingham Sewage Treatment Works