Roof structure for Newhaven waste transfer site approved

Proposals to build a ‘zapp shelter’ at a waste transfer site in Newhaven have been given the go ahead by county council planners.

At a virtual meeting on Wednesday (May 20), East Sussex County Council’s planning committee approved proposals to erect a new storage building at the Greenacre Recycling site at the New Road Industrial Estate in Newhaven

The new building – a domed-roof structure known as a ‘zapp shelter’ – is required by the Environment Agency as it would be used to cover a number of waste containers on the site.

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While approved, the scheme saw opposition from some councillors due to concerns around the impact of the proposals on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area.

Particular concerns were raised about the potential for damage to a hedgerow just outside of the boundary of the application site, by Tom Liddiard, who called for conditions to protect it.

Cllr Liddiard said: “I am quite sure no one would ever intentionally damage them, however when you are using machinery to erect a building the risk is there. I think it is a high risk for that damage to be had.

“I really strongly believe that some form of condition needs to go in this to protect the surroundings.”

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But officers argued such conditions would be ‘unreasonable’, as the hedgerow falls outside of the application site and does not belong to the applicant.

Despite this advice, committee members asked whether there was any mechanism which could persuade the applicant to ensure the hedgerow was protected.

Bob Bowdler (Con), went further, recommending that the applicant  erect a two-metre wooden fence between the building and the hedgerow.

This suggestion came in for criticism from Hastings councillor Godfrey Daniel (Lab), however, who said members were ‘clutching at straws’.

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Cllr Daniel said: “I am beginning to think that people are losing their grip on reality here. Something like that would require planning permission in itself and may well damage the hedge when you’re banging it into the ground.

“Let’s be honest. The hedging is outside of the application site [and] it is owned by somebody else.

“This is a commercial industrial site, which is trying to tidy up its operation in line with the Environment Agency. The fact that members have concerns   if they are not related to planning reasons which can be substantiated, have no relevance.”

Several councillors – including Cllr Bowdler and  Barry Taylor – also raised concerns about dust and noise pollution from the site, pointing to objections raised by South Heighton Parish Council and a local resident. 

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Officers, however, said the wider use of the site was not part of the application and that the new building would only reduce such pollution in any case.

Concerns had also been raised by ward councillor Darren Grover (Lid Dem) about how well the site would be screened for surrounding properties.

These concerns were also dismissed by planning officers, who argued the building would be adequately screened for those who do not currently overlook the site.  

Following further discussion the application was approved on a majority vote.

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For further details of the application see reference LW/839/CM on the East Sussex County Council planning website.

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