Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 17th September, 2014 5.30 pm

  • Meeting of Area West Committee, Wednesday 17th September 2014 5.30 pm (Item 82.)

Minutes:

The Planning Officer informed members that part of the application site was located within Area North and that members had been consulted on the application but no comments had been received.  All surrounding parishes had also been given the opportunity to comment on the application.  With the aid of slides and photographs, the Planning Officer summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda report including the key considerations.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.

In response to questions, the Planning Officer clarified points of detail raised by Members which included the following:

·         The proposed landscaping would be of mixed woodland and would provide more than ample screening;

·         The A303 Stocklinch panels and the proposed scheme could not be seen in the same view.  They were approximately one mile apart;

·         The breakdown of the land on the proposed site was 24% grade 2, 49% grade 3a and 20% grade 3b;

·         Somerset County Council was unaware of any archaeological implications.  Previous comments including those made by the CPRE were available to them when they made their decision on the application.

The Committee noted the comments of Andrew Troop, the Applicant’s Agent in support of the application.  During his representations, he clarified the position with regard to the agricultural land quality.  He also referred to only a minute proportion of the land being classed as productive farmland.  He advised that a huge amount of time had been spent working with the Landscape Officer defining the boundary of the site.

Ward Member, Cllr. Kim Turner expressed her support for application.  She made a request for the Traffic Management Plan to be agreed in consultation with the Ward Members.

Ward Member, Cllr. Carol Goodall also expressed her support for the application. 

It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation outlined in the agenda report subject to the Construction Management Plan being agreed in consultation with the Ward Members.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried unanimously in favour.

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 14/02977/FUL be APPROVED as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation subject to the Construction Management Plan being agreed in consultation with the Ward Members for the following reason:

Justification:

01.  It is considered that the benefits in terms of the provision of a renewable source of energy, which will make a valuable contribution towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions, outweigh the limited impact of the proposed PV panels on the local landscape character. As such the proposal accords with the Government's objective to encourage the provision of renewable energy sources and the aims and objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework, the National Planning Practice Guidance and Policies ST3, ST5, ST6, EC1, EC3 and EC8 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING:

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

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

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans drawings numbered 05 PA RL (Application Area) received 3 July 2014; SL106/02 (Master Plan), 05 PA D3 (Fencing Detail), 05 PS D2 (Inverter housing/transformer detail), 05 PA D1 (panel and framing detail) received 7 July 2014.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

03.       The development hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition before 31/12/2044 or within six months of the cessation of the use of the solar farm for the generation of electricity whichever is the sooner in accordance with a restoration plan to be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The restoration plan will need to include all the works necessary to revert the site to open agricultural land including the removal of all structures, materials and any associated goods and chattels from the site.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character and visual amenity in accordance with Policies ST3, ST5, ST6 and EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The supporting posts to the solar array shall be anchored into the ground as described on Drawing No. 05 PA D1 received 7 July 2014  and shall not be concreted into the ground.

Reason: In the interests of sustainable construction and to accord with Part 10 of the NPPF.

05.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, which shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of the development, as well as details of any changes proposed in existing ground levels; 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 building 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, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation. Planting must be carried out during this coming planting season (November 2014 - mid March 2015) if commencement is to take place in 2015.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and landscape character in accordance with policies ST5, ST6 and EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       No means of external illumination/lighting shall be installed without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to safeguard the rural character of the area to accord with Policies EC3, ST6 and EP3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced unless the location, external finish, including the colour, of the CCTV equipment and security fencing has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to safeguard the rural character of the area to accord with Policies EC3, ST6 and EP3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08.       No form of audible alarm shall be installed on the site without the prior written consent of the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interest of residential amenity and the rural amenities of the area to accord with Policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

09.       The development hereby permitted shall take place in accordance with the Construction Environmental Management Plan received 3 July 2014 unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason in the interest of highway safety and the rural amenities of the area to accord with Policies ST5 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Informatives:

01.       You are reminded that the highway authority has requested that a condition survey of the existing public highway will need to be carried out and agreed with the highway authority prior to any works commencing on site, and that any damage to the highway occurring as a result of this development will have to be remedied by the developer to the satisfaction of the highway authority once all works have been completed on site.

02.       Please be aware of the comments set out within the Environment Agency's letter dated 01/08/2014.

03.       Please be aware of the recommendations set out in the RSPB's letter dated 11/08/2014.

04.    The applicant is advised that the Ward Member will require consultation regarding the Construction Environmental Management Plan especially in regard to the routing of construction vehicles.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

Supporting documents: