PLANNING COMMITTEE AGENDA - Hartlepool Borough Council

Planning Committee –25 th February 2009 4.4
UPDATE
Report of:
Assistant Director (Planning & Economic
Development)
Subject:
ABLE UK LTD
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 I have attached a copy of a report presented to Committee at its meeting on 1
October 2008 outlining progress at the Able site and details of the monitoring
regime there, for background information. This update is primarily concerned
with ongoing monitoring.
1.2 Since October, Scott Wilson have continued their monitoring role in relation to
the Marad contract. Attached for information is the major part of their quarterly
report for the period September to November 2008. A report for December
2008 to 10 February 2009 is anticipated before the meeting and will be tabled
then. Overall Scott Wilson Ltd were satisfied that for the earlier period
“dismantling carried out to date has involved no activities that result in a breach
of the agreed environmental protection measures or that were assessed to
have a significant risk of causing significant environmental pollution or damage”.
A full copy of the report will be placed in the Member’s Room.
1.3 In addition to the monitoring of the Marad contract Scott Wilson have been
employed to carry out two periods of extensive monitoring on site in relation to
dredging and piling and their effects on birds on the neighbour SPA site. This
was because one of the conditions of the ship dismantling permission precludes
these and other activities two hours either side of low tide (condition 13a).
Monitoring was part of what was effectively a relaxation of the condition
(technically a derogation of the condition) which allowed dredging and piling
during the restricted period under the closest scrutiny. This approach was
agreed with Natural England. The monitoring was undertaken by ornithologists
who were present at all low water periods over December and January,
including over Christmas and New Year.
1.4 In summary Scott Wilson conclude that “…the majority of Able UK dredging and
piling activities did not cause a disturbance. On the one occasion where there
was a major disturbance Able UK immediately ceased all piling activities ….” A
copy of the monitoring report will be provided in the Members Room.
1.5 Finally Members should note that the Breach of Condition Notice in relation to
earlier acknowledged breaches of condition 13a, prior to the derogation
exercise, will be served shortly.
RECOMMENDATION – Members note the contents of this report and further
updates on monitoring of the Marad contract be provided as appropriate.
4.1 - Planning - 09.02.25 - 2 - RPS Able U K Lt d
1 HARTLEPOOL BOROUGH COUNCIL