The Planning Committee of Gloucestershire Council is scheduled to consider two significant planning applications. The first concerns the use of land for crushing and screening inert waste materials to produce secondary aggregates at Allstone Sand and Gravel Centre, while the second application seeks planning permission for the demolition of Jordans Brook House to construct a GP surgery and outline permission for 10 new dwellings.

Allstone Sand and Gravel Centre, Myers Road, Gloucester

The committee is scheduled to consider a retrospective application for the continued and permanent use of land at the Allstone Sand and Gravel Centre for crushing and screening inert waste materials to produce secondary aggregates. The proposal includes the retention of aggregate processing and wash plant facilities, weighbridges, and associated infrastructure.

The report pack indicates that this application has been referred to the Planning Committee due to its strategic significance and public interest. The site is described as a 1.78-hectare area of former railway sidings located southeast of Gloucester city centre. The applicant has been operating a waste recycling facility on the site since 1999, with crushing and screening of inert waste materials occurring since 2011 under a series of temporary planning permissions. The current application seeks to regularise this use on a permanent basis.

The report details extensive consultation responses, including objections from nearby residents and local businesses raising concerns about noise, dust, air quality, traffic, visual impact, and land-use compatibility. Gloucestershire County Council's Noise Impact consultant has raised significant concerns regarding the adequacy of the submitted noise assessment, noting potential for significant noise effects and inconsistencies with existing permissions. The Air Quality consultant has identified deficiencies in the Dust Management Plan and noted a history of dust-related complaints. The Local Highways Authority has recommended deferral due to a lack of clarity on processing tonnage and vehicle movements, highlighting conflicting information and the need for further detail on operational controls. The Landscape and Visual Impact consultant has also raised substantial concerns regarding the accuracy and adequacy of submitted documentation, stating that it fails to reflect the development as built.

The report concludes with a recommendation to refuse planning permission for five reasons: inadequate information and inability to assess impacts, unacceptable noise impact on amenity, unacceptable dust and air quality impact on amenity, unacceptable landscape and visual impact, and concerns regarding the scale of development, cumulative impact, and enforceability.

Jordans Brook House, North Upton Lane, Gloucester

The committee is also scheduled to consider a hybrid planning application for the demolition of Jordans Brook House and the construction of a new GP surgery, along with outline planning permission for 10 dwelling houses. The site, owned by Gloucestershire County Council, is located in the Barnwood area of Gloucester and is allocated in the Gloucester City Plan for residential development.

The full application for the GP surgery proposes a two-storey building designed to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, incorporating sustainability measures and providing 29 on-site parking spaces. The surgery is intended to replace the existing Hucclecote GP Surgery, which is no longer adequate. The outline application for the residential element proposes up to 10 dwellings in the southern part of the site.

The report indicates that the development has been screened under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and an EIA is not considered necessary. Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements apply, with the GP surgery element aiming for a 13.31% gain in area-based habitat units. Conditions will be imposed to secure a Biodiversity Gain Plan for the residential element.

Consultations with various bodies have been undertaken. The Local Highways Authority initially had concerns but now has no objection, subject to conditions and legal obligations addressing parking management, a strengthened Travel Plan, and improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity. The Lead Local Flood Authority has no objection, with drainage details to be secured by condition. The Environment Agency has no comments. Gloucestershire County Council's Heritage (Archaeology) Team recommends an archaeological investigation, to be secured by condition. The Landscape and Visual Impact consultant raises no objection, subject to standard conditions. The Ecological consultant also raises no objection, subject to conditions for mitigation and biodiversity net gain delivery.

Gloucester City Council has maintained an objection, focusing on site layout, design quality, and pedestrian/cyclist usability, particularly concerning the GP surgery's legibility and integration. However, heritage concerns have been withdrawn. Worcestershire Regulatory Services has no objection on contaminated land grounds, subject to conditions. Gloucestershire Constabulary has no objection regarding crime prevention.

The report concludes that the proposal represents sustainable development, with significant benefits including the delivery of a modern GP surgery and plan-led housing. The identified harms are considered limited and capable of mitigation through conditions and reserved matters applications. The recommendation is to grant planning permission, with a delegation to the Assistant Director of Planning & Economic Development to issue the decision notice after the statutory consultation period has expired, subject to no new material planning considerations arising.