Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Lymer.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

Report ES16041

The Executive considered a report seeking approval to acquire land at the end of Cornwall Drive, St Paul’s Cray.  The land had previously been used as a waste transfer station and currently had significant quantities of illegally deposited waste.  Funds had been provided through the Environment Agency (EA) to purchase and clear the site, which could then be used for the benefit of the local community.

The land at the end of Cornwall Drive had been used as a waste transfer station for approximately 15 years.  It was originally given planning permission following an appeal despite objections from Bromley Council and the land being designated as green belt.  The site had been operated as a well-run licensed waste operation after permission was granted, with a minimal impact on local residents and few complaints being received.  However, in 2011 a lease was granted to Sitec Limited (subsequently assigned to Waste 4 Fuel Ltd) to manage the waste on the site.  The permitted tonnage was quickly exceeded and approximately 20,000 tonnes of waste was deposited on the site.  The EA as the regulatory body attempted to take formal action, including at the High Court, but with no success.  Sitec Ltd was wound up and Waste 4 Fuel Limited ceased trading.  It was likely that Waste 4 Fuel Ltd would be struck off the register in the near future.  The waste remained on the site, having a significant impact on the local area, including smell, dust, rats and periodic fires, in addition to the obvious visual impact.  The EA removed 2,000 tonnes in order to manage the fires meaning the total current tonnage in situ was approximately 18,000 tonnes. 

In the circumstances the landowner agreed to sell the land and associated access road to the Council for £120,000 following an independent valuation of the land based on retaining the green belt status.  The land could provide an ideal access for the adjoining lake complex.  The land would be transferred with the liability of the deposited waste which would need to be removed.  The total cost of land acquisition and land clearance was therefore up to £2.709m.  The Council currently had £1.8m deposited in accounts through a transfer from the EA and the EA had given written confirmation that a further £609,000 would also be released so a total of £2.409m was available to meet 89% of the total costs.  There was an expectation that the Council make a contribution of £300,000.  The costs were based on 18,000 tonnes and the absence of any hazardous waste, and should only be exceeded if the waste composition or tonnage was not as expected.  Officers were negotiating with Veolia to reduce the cost of clearance and any savings would be shared proportionately with the EA.  Equally any unforeseen costs would also be shared on the same basis. 

Introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for the Environment briefly outlined the background to the proposals before Members, complementing the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Environmental and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.