Approval in principle for the reclamation of site including filling and levelling with inert materials to form a plot, and erection of a dwelling

Refusal Reasons

• ✗The site forms part of a larger area which is known to have extreme levels of heavy metal contamination. The Foxdale Local Plan 1999 designates the area as being in need of reclamation and states that the area would be suitable for use as 'open space' only. The application which proposes levelling and filling of the site with inert materials, treatment of the water course and the erection of a dwelling would be contrary to the policies set out in the Foxdale Local Plan 1999 by virtue of a. the guidelines set out in Policy F/P/E/2 referring to areas where there is a known risk of heavy metal pollution, have not been complied with, b. the erection of a dwelling would be contrary to the prescribed use as 'open space' set out in the Local Plan. Notwithstanding the above, the Planning Committee judges that the reclamation of only part of the area, which is known to be heavily contaminated, would be a piecemeal approach which could harm a future overall strategy to reclaim all of the Louisa Mine Site.
• ✗It is in any case unlikely that appropriate sightlines could be provided to allow safe access onto the highway.