Contamination fears over parking site plan for almost 80 trailers
PLANS have been put forward to create a parking facility for up to 78 tankers in a Moorlands village.
A planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by W G Tankers for Winkhill Garage on Ashbourne Road to become a temporary parking site for five years.
The site has planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings, regrading of eastern areas of the site, and provision of new offices and workshop.
However, despite much clearance of the site, no construction work to the proposed new offices and workshop has taken place.
A design and access statement, produced by the The Winter Partnership, said: “This application is in relation to the approved demolition of existing buildings, regrading of Eastern areas of the site and provision of new offices and workshop, and the provision of new hardstandings and rainwater and foul drainage.
“Most of the landscaping has been carried out to the site and there is now a flattened area where it is proposed to provide the new offices and workshop. There is still, currently, some spoil to the rear of the site, although it is hoped that this will be removed in the short term.
“The site has been occupied by WG Tanker Group Ltd, although, after discussion with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, they are submitting a parking application on the site for a temporary period of five years.
“The proposed site plan shows spaces for up to 78 tank trailers which will be stored on the site during the five year period. Once the temporary permission has expired it is proposed to continue with the approved development.
“The trailers will not carry liquids nor hazardous materials. Also, as trailers, these do not carry oils or liquids.
“The site has been graded and surfaced with a bituminous produce to prevent any dirtying of the wheels of the vehicles and removing the need for a wheel wash at the entrance. This will be monitored and should alterations to this become necessary, then amendments to the exit will be made to ensure that the entrance and roadways are kept clear.
“As part of this alteration, the formation of the entrance will be advanced and be undertaken and completed within three months of the approval. The drainage works to the site, mainly the base of the new bank, have been completed and settlement ponds introduced to the approval of the Environmental Agency.”
However, at last week’s meeting of Waterhouses Parish Council, the application raised concerns on the grounds of contamination, screening and the entrance to the site.
Councillor Andrew Simpson said: “There are already 20 to 30 tankers on the site, but it states in the report that work has not started. The data is not correct.”
Councillor Paul Clews said that there was a lot of questions over the surfacing.
He said: “The entrance needs sorting and it is close to a stream. There is no provision for water run off.”
Councillor David Stone said: “There could be up to 80 tankers. There will be a lot of coming and going from the site. There should be a run off area. The company did apply for 24 hour working, but this was thrown out by planners.”
Chairman of the council, Councillor Bob Turner, said that the parish council should raise the anomalies in the application to the planning authority.
He said: “We only want times applied to the site that have been approved in a previous application. This is to protect residents in nearby properties.”
Councillors agreed to inform planners of their concerns regarding contamination into the river, screening and the entrance.