Garlaff landfill Site, Skares - Barr Ltd - East Ayrshire Council

measure to minimise odorous emissions. The present application
seeks to further mitigate this problem by collecting landfill gas
using active gas collection system with the gas being burned in a
landfill gas engine/ turbine, which destroys odours at high
temperature. The landfill gas collection wells would be installed
after capping has taken place, on a cell-by-cell basis to minimise the
volume of gas venting to air. A separate planning application (Ref.
No. 01/0077/FL) for the siting of a generator compound and the
installation of two landfill gas generator sets at the existing Garlaff
site has been submitted to the Council for consideration.
The Division is not aware of any noise problems arising within the site since the
landfill became operational. As the basic site operations will remain substantially
unchanged there is no reason to suspect any significant deterioration in this
respect. The predicted noise levels summary indicates that the potentially
loudest levels will be at Garlaff Farmhouse which is within the control of the
applicant.
The proposed development, both in respect of the opencasting and
landfill operations will involve noise-making activities. However, it
is considered that the operations can be undertaken in a manner
that will, with the imposition of appropriate planning conditions in
any consent granted and implementation of monitoring, ensure that
acceptable environmental standards are met.
The Division states that there is nothing in the Environmental Statement to which
it would take exception and accordingly it has no objection in principle to the
application. Approval of the application will mean that the use of the site for a
landfill operation will be perpetuated for up to the next 20 years and any local
impact currently being experienced will continue for that period of time.
Noted.
One point that might warrant some clarification is the proposed hours of
operation of the facility. The Division believes that at present the site does not
operate on a Sunday. It is noted that the documentation refers to weekend
opening hours as Saturday and Sunday from 0800 to 1200 hours. In the past it
would have been anticipated that a landfill site would not normally have operated
on a Sunday, other than in special circumstances and with the consent of the
local authority and SEPA. While traffic considerations would not fall within the
ambit of this service, the Division would be somewhat concerned to ensure that
this point is thoroughly aired, as it could be a matter of contention to residents
along the access road. It is believed that in this instance the matter is
complicated by the fact that although the site does not currently operate on a
Sunday, the waste disposal licence from SEPA may actually permit the applicant
to do so. Unless the original planning consent imposes a restriction on Sunday
opening it would be difficult to present a rational restriction on Sunday operations
at this stage.