TWO applications for Pitts Cleave Quarry in Tavistock come before planners tomorrow (Friday) — one recommended for approval and the other for refusal.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority planning committee will be considering a retrospective application by RP and S Heywood for use of land for the temporary period of 12 months for storage and distribution.
The site is on the eastern bank of the River Tavy and is sandwiched between the river and the former quarry — the latter being designated as an Site of Special Scientific Interest.
It is inside the area which has outline permission for employment use.
The applicant stated that the use of the land has been ongoing for about two years. Telegraph poles, empty skips and road surfacing materials are thought to have been stored there throughout that time, during which no complaints in respect of this use had been received by the DNPA.
The application is recommended for approval until August 2003, subject to the consideration of any comments from West Devon Borough Council and the submission and approval of a flood risk assessment and any mitigating measures. A further condition is tree protection.
Tavistock Town Council had expressed general concerns over the developments at the quarry and their policy implications.
The second application, recommended for refusal, is by Mr T Bloye for use of land for recycling sewage waste.
The site in this application is at the north end of the former quarry, within the SSSI designated area and not part of the employment use area.
The proposal involves importing pressed sewage, said to comprise around 35% dry matter, which would be mixed with green waste or straw to produce compost.
The use of land at the quarry for a temporary period for timber pallet storage and repair was refused at the last planning committee meeting, but this application was deferred for more detail.
West Devon Borough Council has objected on the grounds of likely odour nuisance and insufficient information regarding odour control techniques.
The Environment Agency and an ecologist also objected due to the lack of information and the potential for pollution of water courses.
An ecological survey and risk assessment would also be necessary.
Caves within the quarry support populations of bats and there is a wealth of other wildlife.
Twenty-seven letters of objection have been received, mostly from residents or regular guests of Harford Bridge Holiday Park, around 200 metres from the site.
The planning officer states 'the use is not considered acceptable in the local environment and employment issues do not outweigh the special interest of this designated site of national importance'.