NPTCBC internal email RE: Darren View/Cilmaengwyn tip


  • Date

    25/02/2021

  • Tags

    Darren View, David Griffiths, Hasan Hasan, NPTCBC Engineering, and WG - Coal Tip Safety Program

  • Photos

    • 3E3244BD FACC 4FBE 8FA1 77E8E310A93D 768x415

  • About

    Afternoon all,   Here are Alan’s notes he sent after the visit   Further to our site visit to Godre Graig on Friday 12th February please note the following comments. After the lengthy discussions re getting in due to                                             eventually we were allowed to enter the site.
    1. On the track leading to and beyond the site demarcated in Red on the enforcement plan we initially arrived at the junction accessing  property, at the junction there was a touring caravan parked evidently for quite some time. I would assume the caravan is lived in                                                           no doubt used as a security person warning for                               .
    2. The area the caravan is parked on built up tipped material with block stone stock piled in the and on the area. The tipping area is based on the profile of its angle of repose, the trees in the vicinity show stress , there is a security camera system in the vicinity. The one thing noticed in this area was the issued (discoloured at the back of a property down slope. Is there an enforcement issue here with tipping material forming a platform over tipping trees the caravan. Where was this tipped material sourced from and where was the block stone sourced.
    3. Leading up the track leading into  – this was concreted and the bottom side had a quantity of tipped material which                                                      stated it was to be removed foundations built then a retaining wall built, the wall would be significant ground level difference was from 1 to 2 mts. The bottom side was not in the ownership of                                                    – there could be an issue re enforcement in this area.
    4. Going through the gate it was  has widened the yard in front of the house and this is now concreted. The drainage is poor and the run off is not designed or runs into any kind of controlled features. There was evidently a vast quantity of tipped material over the side and was formed to the angle of repose. We need to enforce against the tipping over the side to the south of the property this is unstable and could become more unstable due to run off, the over tipping  precariously is over the gardens of the properties below over a case of unauthorised engineering works.
    5. On and around the property there was an issue with waste – a huge amount of tyres were present without the attempt to bale the tyres to try and form a retaining structure at the base of the active slip which is a dangerous situation. There were tyres tipped amongst inert there was plaster board chip board composite tile /slate sink sheeting large amount of bikes canisters gas containers scrap value steel galvanised fabricated vents etc.
    6. On the eastern limits of the site there was a considerable surcharge of tipped material on the boundary this was 2 mts vertically above the adjoin land in places, this needs to be removed the trees were over tipped but not dead yet  This surcharge was detrimental to the drainage and run off in that area. There was clear scour on the tipped over tip in front of the property where a significant amount of run off runs over clearly in an uncontrolled manner, this could lead to a serious problem at the base of the slope.
    7. Behind the property and to the east of the gable end there was a serious land slip no doubt in my mind this is active, there are a number of developing back scars progressing up the slope. The water course on the western limits is running but not as heavy as the terrain would suggest. There were wet areas visible on the slope especially where material had been historically surcharges and quite evident these areas were wet. This area needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
    8. There were numerous on site – should we investigate the
    9. I asked if we could continue to inspect the quarry and track above the property  didn’t want to do that –                                                            commented about the water diversion by the council who he said built the access track – this area was therefore  not visited, so the possibility of working in the quarry, tipping or the access track was not investigated.
      In light of the above the temporary stop notice was served and explained to                                                       on site, the next move is to serve an enforcement notice. Items I feel need to be covered are as follows
    1. The removal of all waste from areas recognised – explaining that he is not to tip the materials in the quarry as he mentioned he was going to do, we need the waste off site.
    2. The over tipping to the front of the property needs to be assessed, and a design arrived at, how to stabilise the slope and how to provide an appropriate drainage scheme for the area, securing the future stability of the unauthorised engineering works. Regularising the concrete area to the front of the property should also be included, and the removal of the surcharged materials on the boundaries outside Mr Francis’s  ownership recovering the trees also – probably a detail topographic survey would be required to highlight these areas .
    3. The area behind the property i.e. the active slip needs to be investigated and a design to stabilise the slip acquired, the drainage issues should be included in this area, again a topographic survey would be required to address this area.
    4. The area where the caravan was situated needs to be resolved – enforcement against the tipping and parking of the caravan, especially with the materials used and the water issuing lower down the slope.
    5. Included in the response I would advise we point out to                                                              , where he intends to build the  retaining wall,              needs to remove tipped material and apply for planning permission as this is not        land.
      As a way forward I feel we need to engage with                                               so that we can engage with                                      EPS, is commission to advise, assess and design what’s required.     Once                                    has submitted his report with recommendations – covering his views on the highlighted need for a scheme which would need to accompany an Enforcement Notice –  we will need a further meeting to discuss next steps and responsibilities.   Steve    
    Development Manager – Planning / Rheolwr Datblygu – C