The range of industrial and business uses within the City includes some low amenity uses, such as scrapyards, incinerators and waste recycling centres. The environmental impacts of these uses can adversely affect nearby land uses, especially residential areas. As a consequence, these uses are classified as ‘bad neighbour’ developments.

Such uses will continue to be accommodated at suitable locations, however, they will be subject to strict scrutiny to ensure compliance with relevant amenity, environmental and health and safety considerations. These uses will generally only be acceptable within areas designated Industry and Business (DEV 3).

Low amenity uses will generally only be acceptable within areas designated for Industry and Business and will be subject to the following considerations and criteria:

(a) the layout and design of the development will protect and enhance the visual amenity of surrounding land uses and areas;

(b) to minimise visual and environmental impact, operations should be carried out from within an enclosed building wherever possible;

(c) uses which would give rise to noise, vibration and emissions, or storage of hazardous substances, will be subject to strict scrutiny and, if approved, will be subject to regular monitoring by the Council and/or other agencies to ensure that appropriate health and safety, public health and air quality standards are being met;

(d) the Council will not grant planning consent for a use which would give rise to ground and/or water contamination;

(e) impact on surrounding areas of traffic likely to use the facility, access, servicing etc, will be taken into consideration;

(f) developments shall satisfy the appropriate parking standards (see policy TRANS 4: Vehicle Parking Guidelines);

(g) hours of operation will be taken into consideration;

(h) developments shall satisfy the appropriate landscaping standards (see policy ENV 12: Landscaping Standards in New Development) and provide a good quality of boundary treatment and security; and

(i) storage accommodation for materials should be provided to ensure that the amenity of the surrounding area and appearance from nearby road frontages are not adversely affected.