Meeting documents

RESOLVED:

That planning application 14/04751/S73 be APPROVED as per the officer recommendation.

Justification

The proposal is considered reasonable, accepting the change in date for the commencement of the 25 year period that offers certainty, while the flexibility by the additional wording to permit further consideration of proposals to use external lighting would not by this change, at this time, adversely affect landscape character, in accordance with the aims and objectives of Policy EC3 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006, and the NPPF.

CONDITIONS:

1.            The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from 24.06.2014.

Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.            The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Site design (dated 24-07-2013); 2V Racking System Rev2 (02/07/2012); Security fence (TGC/PV001 Rev A2); Double gates (TGC/PV002 Rev A1); Inverter cabin (TGC/PV003 Rev A2); Comms building (TGC/PV009/01 Rev A1); Switchgear housing (TGC/PV010 Rev A3); Schnieider switchgear (GSC0015-01).

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved.

3.            The solar panels and associated structures and equipment, hereby permitted, shall be for a limited period of 25 years to commence from the 30 June 2015. At the end of this period or upon cessation of their use for generating electricity, whichever is the sooner, all associated structures and equipment shall be fully removed from the application site and the site cleared. Within 3 months of clearance the land shall be restored to its former agricultural condition in accordance with a scheme of works which shall first have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To avoid any ambiguity as to what is approved.

4.            Details of the colour scheme for fencing and buildings was submitted under 14/04618/DOC, validated 23 October 2014 and approved under cover of the email ref: 14/04618/DOC dated 4 November 2014 discharging the condition having been undertaken on site for planning permission 13/03053/FUL. Having been carried out the details shall not be altered without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area in accordance with Policy EC3 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan, 2006, and the NPPF.

5.            The development hereby permitted shall be undertaken in accordance with the Landscape and Ecological Plan submitted under 14/04618/DOC, validated 23 October 2014, and approved under cover of the email ref: 14/04618/DOC dated 4 November 2014, discharging the condition having been undertaken on site for planning permission 13/03053/FUL.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character and local ecology further to Policy EC3 and EC7 of the South Somerset Local Plan, 2006 and the NPPF.

6.            All planting, seeding, turfing or earth moulding comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the land or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character further to EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan, 2006 and the NPPF.

7.            Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification), there shall be no external lighting erected or otherwise installed on the site unless the details are agreed in writing with the local planning authority. Any agreed external lighting will thereafter be constructed and retained in accordance with the agreed details.

Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to Policy EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan, 2006 and the NPPF.

8.            The access shall be properly consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel), and drained over the first 5m of its length, so as to avoid any loose material or water from discharging onto the adjoining public highway.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 and the NPPF.

9.            Before works commence on site, there shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 900mm above the adjoining road level forward of a line drawn 2.4m back and from the carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 43m either side of the access. The above area shall be kept clear of all obstructions above 900mm in height thereafter.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 and the NPPF.

10.         Any entrance gates erected shall be hung to open inwards and shall be set back a minimum distance of 5m from the carriageway edge.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 and the NPPF.

11.         The development hereby permitted shall be undertaken in accordance with the CCTV scheme submitted under 14/04618/DOC, validated 23 October 2014, and approved under cover of the email ref: 14/04618/DOC dated 4 November 2014, discharging the condition having been undertaken on site in accordance with planning permission 13/03053/FUL. The CCTV system shall thereafter be retained in accordance with the agreed scheme.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character and appearance further to policy EC3 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006 and the NPPF.

12.         Notwithstanding the details on any of the approved drawings the height of the solar panels, once installed shall be no more than 2.6m above natural ground level.

Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to policy EC3 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the NPPF.