Meeting documents

SSDC Area West Committee
Wednesday, 19th November, 2014 5.30 pm

  • Meeting of Area West Committee, Wednesday 19th November 2014 5.30 pm (Item 114.)

Minutes:

Application proposal: Installation of 4.08MW solar farm, access, associated infrastructure and landscaping

 

The Planning Officer with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda report.  The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.  She proposed an amendment to the landscaping condition to read in this coming planting season.  She also recommended an additional condition to cover the finish of the structure and amended the officer report on page 72 of the agenda to read consideration be given to dark hues as recommended by the AONB. 

 

In response to questions, the Planning Officer clarified points of detail raised by members.  Members were informed of the following:

 

·         The landscaping and planting would be conditioned around the quarry area;

·         Clarification over the location of the site in relation to Barleymows Farm Shop.

 

The Committee was addressed by Ian Porter and John Eames in support of the application.  Views expressed included the following:

 

·         The proposal supported the need in meeting the growing demand for electricity;

·         The proposal met government policy for renewable energy sources;                                                                                                                                                                                            

·         Solar panels ran silently and produced zero emissions;

·         The proposal could not be seen from the road and would be fenced at the north end;

·         The land was low grade;

·         The ground beneath the panels would be grazed.

 

Debbie Marriage, the Applicant’s Agent commented that the applicant had listened to feedback and had amended the plans accordingly and removed the panels from the area of concern.  The scheme was acceptable to the Landscape Officer and commented that new planting was a key part of any solar farm.  She commented that the access had been moved and widened without uprooting the hedgerow.  During the operating lifetime of the solar farm the site would be available for grazing.  She was also proud that solar energy could support a farming community scheme.  

 

Ward Member, Cllr. Ros Roderigo referred to there being a lot of support for the scheme but also objectors.  She did not support schemes on good farm land but the proposed land was not best and most versatile.  The scheme could not be visible from any house and she was satisfied with the planting. She referred to the recommendation on page 76 of the report and believed that the benefits of the scheme outweighed the limited impact on the local landscape character. 

 

During the ensuing discussion, members supported the application.  They commented that the land was low grade and felt that the farm would be fairly inconspicuous.  It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s amended recommendation to include an amendment to the landscaping condition to make reference to this planting season and an additional condition to cover the finish of the structure.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

That Planning Application No. 14/03678/FUL be APPROVED as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation for the following reason:

 

01. Notwithstanding local concerns 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 and adjacent Blackdown Hills AONB. 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, EC2, EC3, EC8 and EP3 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 Drawing No.'s:

2162.AP.001.0.E Rev E received 17/10/2014

2162.AP.003.1.B Rev B received 16/9/2014

2162.AP.007.4 Rev B received 16/9/2014

2162.AP.004.2 received 12/8/2014

2162.AP.009.2 received 12/8/2014

2162.AP.010.2 received 12/8/2014

2162.AP.006.3 received 12/8/2014

2162.AP.008.4.0 received 12/8/2014

5595/101 received 17/10/2014

 

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 31/12/2039 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 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.  The scheme of landscaping shall include additional tree and shrub planting around the head and upper sides of the disused quarry site. 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 in accordance with Policy ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006).                                                                                                                                             

 

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. No CCTV equipment shall be installed on the site unless 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. All existing hedges or hedgerows shall be retained, unless shown on the approved drawings as being removed. All hedges and hedgerows on and immediately adjoining the site shall be protected from damage for the duration of works on the site to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority in accordance with the recommendations in British Standard 5837 1991.  Any part(s) of hedges or hedgerows removed without the Local Planning  Authority's consent or which die or become, in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, seriously diseased or otherwise damaged within five years following contractual practicable completion of the

approved development shall be replaced as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any event, by not later than the end of the first available planting season, with plants of such size and species and in such positions as may be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

 

Reason: To protect legally protected species of recognised nature conservation importance in accordance with NPPF and Policy EC8 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006, The Habitats Regulations 2010, and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

 

10. The management plan and ecological mitigation measures for the site, as detailed within the Biodiversity Management Plan by Dr John Feltwell of Wildlife Matters dated 23/09/2014, shall be fully implemented for the duration of the use hereby permitted, unless any variation is agreed by the local planning authority.

 

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

 

11. Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, an amended Construction Traffic Management Plan (amended in accordance with the County Highway Authority's comments of 31st October 2014) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be delivered in accordance with the approved

Construction Traffic Management Plan.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006).

 

12. Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, the site access track shall be constructed so that it is perpendicular to Weston Road and its surface properly consolidated, not loose stone or gravel, for the first 20m of its length from the carriageway edge.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006).

 

13. The applicant shall ensure that all vehicles leaving the site are in such condition as not to emit dust or deposit mud, slurry or other debris on the highway. In particular (but without prejudice to the foregoing), efficient means shall be installed, maintained and employed for cleaning the wheels of all lorries leaving the site, details of which shall have been agreed in advance in writing by the Local Planning Authority and fully implemented prior to construction, and thereafter maintained until construction is complete.

 

Reason: In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (2006).

 

14. The construction of the works hereby approved shall take place in full accordance with the Arboricultural Method Statement Tree prepared by B.J. Unwin Forestry Consultancy received 24 October 2014 unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

 

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

 

15.  The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until particulars of the materials to be used for external finishes of all structures (including frames, fencing and ancillary structures/buildings) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

               

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

 

Informatives:

01. The Applicant is advised that the Highway Service Manager for South Somerset Area at The Highways Depot, Mead Avenue, Houndstone Business Park, BA22 8RT Tel: 0845 345 9155,

email: countyroads-southsom@somerset.gov.uk must be consulted with regard to the proposed temporary signage.

02. Please be aware of the comments set out within the Environment Agency's letter dated 05/09/2014.

 

(Voting: unanimous)

 

Supporting documents: