The Warwickshire County Council Regulatory Committee met to discuss the extension of an in-vessel composting facility, as well as the restoration of a landfill site, both located at Ufton Landfill Site. Councillors voted to extend the life of the composting facility until 2038 and approved a variation to conditions relating to the landfill site, extending the deadline for restoration. The committee also approved appointments to external bodies.

Ufton Landfill Site In-Vessel Composting Facility

The committee approved a variation of conditions 1 and 9 of planning permission S1751/08CM021, extending the operation of the in-vessel composting (IVC) facility at Ufton Landfill Site until 31 December 2038. This decision was subject to a deed of variation under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990¹.

The proposal sought to vary condition one, to extend the life of the IVC from 7 September 2024 until 31 December 2038, after which the site will be restored per the approved restoration scheme. Permission was also sought to vary condition nine to allow regularisation of the as-built site, accounting for minor alterations approved under permissions SDC W13CM034 and SDC 21CM004, which extended the windrow composting².

The original planning permission established the principle of development for the site in conjunction with a landfill. The IVC is considered an important part of Warwickshire's waste management capacity for organic waste, processing food and green waste to meet regulations for dealing with meat products. The extension is considered vital for the continuity and security of green waste management, retaining 15 jobs on site and supporting jobs in the delivery chain.

During the discussion, Councillor George Cowcher raised concerns about the minimal landscaping around the site and suggested enhancements to better blend it into the landscape. However, David Cooper, Development Management Team Manager, explained that the council's ecology team did not want any enhancements, as they could interfere with the planned restoration of the site and its integration with the ecology of the restored quarry.

Caroline Gutteridge, Legal Manager Commercial & Regulatory, clarified that conditions could only be imposed if they met the six tests of being necessary, enforceable, precise, reasonable, and not fundamentally altering the original description of the development.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about continuously rolling forward temporary permissions and suggested a shorter permission period to ensure landscaping or restoration decisions are made. However, he was advised that the application had to be determined as it stood, and there was no evidence-based reason to grant permission for a shorter period.

Councillor Will Roberts proposed approving the officer's recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Ben Edwards. Councillor Adrian Warwick requested that the chair write to the Environment Agency to investigate the source of odours in Ufton, as he believed they were not coming from the Biffa facility.

David Cooper noted that Biffa had extended an open invitation to Ufton Parish Council to visit the site and set up regular review meetings, but this was rejected. Mary Tappenden, Planning Manager at Biffa, added that the site previously had a local liaison committee, but it was disbanded due to lack of attendance.

Ultimately, the committee voted to approve the variation of conditions, extending the life of the composting facility.

Landfill Site Ufton Hill, Bascote Road

The committee approved a variation of conditions 16 and 18 of permission SDC/18CM033, amending the dates for restoration and aftercare of the Ufton Hill Landfill Site to 31 March 2026. The committee also imposed a condition requiring the submission of a compost application and grassland protection method statement.

David Cooper explained that the application was linked to the previous item and sought additional time to restore the landfill due to delays from taking material from a railway landslide and the impact of Covid-19. He noted that the original land level had to be altered to accommodate the material from the railway landslide. He also explained that not all of the compost from the IVC goes to fill this site, and that compost is sold commercially in bulk.

The additional condition was recommended to manage water runoff from the compost, as it is nutrient-rich and could affect the ecology of the restored quarry and surrounding areas.

Councillor Adrian Warwick proposed approval, seconded by Councillor Edward Harris, and the committee unanimously agreed to grant the application.

Appointments to External Bodies

The committee approved the proposed appointments to external bodies, as outlined in the appendix to the report.

Andy Carswell, Democratic Services Officer, noted that the appointments had been agreed by group leaders.

Councillor Keith Kondakor sought clarification on whether councillors could attend meetings of external bodies to which they had not been appointed. Caroline Gutteridge advised that she was not aware of any reason why they could not.

Councillor Adrian Warwick moved that the recommendations be approved, seconded by Councillor Will Roberts, and the committee agreed.