Agenda item

Application Proposal: The construction of an anaerobic digestion plant to include associated equipment and on-site infrastructure for the purpose of generating renewable energy from grass silage and straw and upgrading and improvement of the existing access farm track.

(Councillor Anna Groskop declared a person, but non prejudicial interest as she was the Regulation Portfolio Holder for Somerset County Council)

The Planning Officer presented her report to members. She advised that there had been an update to the report and pointed out that the height of the digestive tanks had been reduced from 14m to 10m. She also advised that the gas bag was now 41.5m long.

Using the aid of a Powerpoint presentation, she provided plans to show the proposed track and access as well as the proposed layout. She explained that some items of equipment were already installed on site.

She also showed members some photographs which she had taken and some images provided by the applicant that showed the site from areas such as Long Sutton, Ash, Tintinhull and Long Load, however she advised that it was difficult to view the site from some of these areas.

She explained that the applicant had permission to control the vegetation which was growing on the opposite side of the highway to where the access was situated.

She suggested an amendment to condition 3 to specify that should the site cease to provide energy, the site shall return to an agricultural use. She also suggested an additional condition to clarify the finished floor levels and an additional informative to encourage the application to liaise with Highways England to provide additional directional signage.

Using Powerpoint, she provided some images which had been provided by the Parish Council.

Mr J Edmondson, Vice-Chairman of Ilchester Parish Council spoke in objection to the application. He explained that the Parish Council had concerns over the wider traffic impact. He explained that large vehicles would take shortcuts through Ilchester and that small lanes and bridges would be used by HGV’s.

Mr P Horsington, Clerk to Ilchester Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application and thanked members for attending a site visit. He advised members that the area floods and that the Parish Council had concerns over the access and the additional traffic.

Mr M Knight, the applicant, addressed the Committee. He explained that the proposed works would enable him to employ further staff and that the bio gas would reduce the carbon footprint as material is currently sent to Cullumpton and could be disposed of on site.

Ms D Cairns, the agent, addressed the Committee. She advised that the proposal would work towards the government targets for an increase in eco gas. She explained to members that the proposal could create 40,000 megawatts of energy which would be delivered straight to the grid. She advised that there would be local economic benefits and 3 additional employees would be required. She also advised that the visibility splays would be controlled and that a Traffic Management Plan would be developed for contractors/drivers to sign.

Councillor Tony Capozzoli, Ward Member, advised members that there would always be a lot of traffic driving through Ilchester and that it would be hard to stop this.

During the discussion, the Planning Officer advised that it was a clean operation and that clean waste was being used to create the gas. She also confirmed that a landscaping plan had been submitted which included mixed woodland planting.

Options to limit the traffic through Ilchester were discussed. The Planning Officer explained that it would be very difficult to enforce conditions which restricted drivers using the road which runs through Ilchester. She suggested the use of a Traffic Management Plan.

She also confirmed that a cumulative impact assessment to include the neighbouring Bearley Farm application had been assessed.

It was proposed that the planning application be approved subject to an additional condition to ensure that a Traffic Management Plan be incorporated.

Another member commented that the additional access towards Pill Bridge should be stopped up.

The Planning Officer confirmed that condition 5 could be amended to include the blocking up of the Pill Bridge Lane access, with further details to be agreed. She also agreed that an additional condition to ensure that the visibility splays should be maintained at all times could be added as well as a condition to ensure that a Traffic Management Plan is provided. This plan should be agreed by SSDC, to be developed by the applicant in conjunction with the Parish Council and Ward Member to determine how the plan will be implemented and monitored. She explained that this plan should include a package which is passed to drivers to advise them which routes should be taken.

It was subsequently seconded that the planning application be approved subject to

the additional condition to ensure a Traffic Development Plan and the modification of condition 5 to include the blocking up of the Pill Bridge Lane access and informatives to remind the applicant of the weight restricted bridge in Ilchester and to ask the applicant to liaise with the highway authorities to secure appropriate signage to direct site traffic via the A303 and slip road.  

The Planning Officer also reminded members that there would be an amendment to condition 3 to specify that the use of the land would return to agricultural should the use cease and that an additional condition be included to specify the floor levels. 

On being put to the vote this was carried 8 votes in support, 1 vote against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:  that planning application 17/01215/FUL be approved as per officer recommendation subject to the following amendments and additional conditions;

·         Amendment to condition 03 to make it clear that the land will be restored to agricultural land once the use is ceased.

·         Amendment to condition 05 to secure the closure of any access between the site and Pill Bridge Lane, details of which to be agreed by the LPA and such closure to be maintained in whilst the site is in use.

·         Additional condition (no. 17) to secure details of the finished floor levels of the approved structures.

·         Additional condition (no. 18) to secure the submission and implementation of a transport management plan in consultation with the parish council and with the agreement of the ward member.

·         Additional informative (no. 3) to draw the applicant’s attention to the weight limited bridge in Ilchester.

·         Additional informative (no. 4) to suggest to the applicant that they enter into discussions with Highways England to secure appropriate signage on the A303 and slip road.

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 the proposal will have on the local landscape character. The development is not considered to cause any demonstrable harm to highway safety, ecology, residential amenity or heritage assets. As such the proposal accords with the government's objective to encourage the provision of renewable energy sources and the aims and objectives of policies SD1, TA5, TA6, EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, EQ4 and EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework and accompanying National Planning Practice Guidance.

SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

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:

Figure 1b (Site Location) (drawing number IGE02_AccessSiteLocation), Mabey Compact (200) Bridging (drawing number 19168-18134-S-100 Rev A), Uniflare UFO Specification and Dimensions, Biogasupgrading CA50 (CA50-GEO40), Biogasupgrading CA50 (CA50-GEO43), Biogasupgrading CA50 (CA50-GE100), Biogasupgrading CA50 (CA50-GE600), Inside the Operations Building (IGE02_SitePlan_016), 1548-11 Tank2 (2016-141- 5200 Rev A), 1080-11, Tank5 (2016-141-5500 Rev A), Assestoft silo (2016 141 Installation Rev A), Bio Methan Network Entry Facility (BNEF) (0216- 1755-3001 Issue A1) (0216-1755-5001 Issue A1), Gas Bag technical plan (V0160196 Issue A1), Porous Road to Digester (GMA-0020).

Volume One Supporting Statement (December 2017),

Figure 2 (Site Plan) (IGE02_SP_018),

Figure 3 (Elevation Overview) (IGE02_Elevation_006),

Figure 3 (South Elevation) (IGE02_EL_S_005),

Figure 3 (West (Section A) Elevation

(IGE02_EL_Wa_005), Figure 3 (West (Section B) Elevation)

(IGE02_EL_Wb_005), Figure 3 (West (Section C) Elevation)

(IGE02_EL_Wc_005), Figure 3 (West (Section D) Elevation)

(IGE02_EL_Wd_005), Figure 3 (North Elevation) (IGE02_EL_N_005),

Figure 3 (East (Section A) Elevation) (IGE02_EL_Ea_005),

Figure 3 (East (Section B) Elevation) (IGE02_EL_Eb_005),

Figure 3 (East (Section C) Elevation (IGE02_EL_Ec_005) and Figure 3 (East (Section D) Elevation) (IGE02_EL_Ed_005) received 14/12/2017.

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

03.          Within 3 months of the cessation of the use of the development hereby permitted for the purpose of generating biogas, a scheme for the restoration of the site back to its original condition, i.e. agricultural land, which shall include the removal of all buildings, structures, hard standings, plant and machinery, roadways,fencing and any other structures associated with the development hereby permitted shall have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include details of the restoration and a timetable for completion. The scheme shall be fully implemented within 9 months of the date of its approval.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities and character of the area in accordance

with Saved Policies EC3 and ST6 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan.

04.          The feedstock to serve the anaerobic digester hereby approved shall be limited to grass silage and clean straw only.

Reason: In the interests of residential amenity, the rural amenities of the

area and highway safety to accord with policies EQ2, EQ7 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.          All traffic associated with the development hereby permitted (including all construction traffic and operational traffic) shall access the site via the existing farm access which serves New Spittles Farm, i.e. the access leading on to the east bound A303 / Ilchester slip road. There shall be no access to the site via Pill Bridge Lane. The existing access from Pill Bridge Lane shall be stopped up prior to any works commencing on site in accordance with details to be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority and shall thereafter be maintained in this fashion for as long as the development hereby permitted is in use.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety to accord with policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       No works shall commence on site until details of the new access track to connect the site to New Spittles Farm has been constructed and brought into use.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety to accord with policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       There shall be no obstruction to visibility greater than 600 millimetres above

adjoining road level in advance of lines drawn 2.4 metres back from the

carriageway edge on the centre line of the access and extending to points on the nearside carriageway edge 98m to the north (left) and 104m to the east (right) of the access. Such visibility shall be fully provided before the development hereby permitted is brought into use and shall thereafter be maintained at all times.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08.       There shall be no external storage of any form of organic matter whatsoever.

Reason: In order to minimise birds being attracted to the site which could increase the risk of birdstrikes and endanger aircraft using the nearby airbase, RNAS Yeovilton.

09.       The planting scheme, as detailed on drawing titled 'figure 5' (drawing number

IGE02_PP_009) dated 04/12/2017, shall be planted in the first planting and seeding season following the first occupation of the development hereby permitted or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner. Any trees or plants which within a period of 25 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 otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and to safeguard the character and rural amenities of the area to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

10.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until samples of all of the materials, colour and finish to be used for external surfaces of the

proposed buildings, structures, apparatus and equipment have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once agreed, no alterations or changes shall be made to the buildings without the written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the rural

character of the locality to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

11.       The development hereby approved shall not be commenced until details of the surfacing materials for all hardstanding and access tracks have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To prevent the increased risk of flooding and in the interests of

visual amenity to accord with policy EQ2 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan and the provisions of the NPPF.

12.       No development hereby permitted shall be commenced unless details of the

means of connection to the gas / electricity grid from the site have been submitted to and approved 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 policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

13.       The development hereby approved shall not be commenced unless a

Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The CEMP shall include details of the phasing of construction, pollution prevention measures (to include details of the construction of the storage tanks), hours of construction routing for construction vehicles, parking for construction and contractors vehicles. The development shall thereafter be carried out in strict accordance with such details unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To safeguard the rural amenities of the area and to prevent pollution of the water environment in accordance policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the provisions of the NPPF.

14.       No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a detailed scheme for contaminated and clean surface water run-off, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and thereafter permanently maintained and retained in this fashion.

Reason: To prevent the increased risk of flooding and pollution of the

local water environment in accordance with policy EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan and Part 11 of the NPPF.

15.       No development hereby approved shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the local planning authority.

Reason: To safeguard the archaeological interest of the site in accordance with policy EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

16.       No external lighting shall be erected on the application site unless details including size, design, location and degree of luminance have been previously submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the rural character of the locality to accord with policy EQ2 and EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

17.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced unless details of the internal finished floor levels for the various buildings and structures have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with these agreed details.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the rural

character of the locality to accord with policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

18.       The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced unless a Transport Management Plan has been submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority, with the agreement of the Ward Member following consultation with Ilchester Parish Council. The Transport Management Plan shall include as a minimum measures to inform all delivery drivers of the correct route to and from the site, i.e. approaching the site via the A303 and avoiding driving through the settlement of Ilchester, and details of local approach roads that are subject to weight limits, and measures for monitoring routes taken by site traffic, details of which shall be made available to the local planning authority upon request. The agreed Transport Management Plan shall be fully implemented for the duration of the construction phase and for the operational lifetime of development.

Reason: In the interest of highway safety to accord with policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Informatives:

01. The applicants attention is drawn to the Environment Agency's comments as

follows:

·         The construction of the storage for feed stock to the AD plant complies with the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural

Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations 2010, as amended 2013.

·         The Environment Agency must be informed of any new storage for feed stock at least 14 days before construction begins. Further guidance is available on our website at https://www.gov.uk/storing-silage-slurry-and-agricultural-fuel-oil.

·         The digestate produced from the plant may be spread to land provided the feed stock is from an agricultural source i.e. maize slurry.

02.       The applicant is advised that safeguards should be implemented during the

construction phase to minimise the risks of pollution from the development.

Such safeguards should cover:

·      the use of plant and machinery

·      wheel washing and vehicle wash-down

·      oils/chemicals and materials

·      the use and routing of heavy plant and vehicles

·      the location and form of work and storage areas and compounds

·      the control and removal of spoil and wastes.

03.       The applicant is reminded that Ilchester Town Bridge that spans the River Yeo and which is a listed structure is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

04.       The applicant is encouraged to enter into discussions with Highways England

and Somerset County Highways with the objective of securing appropriate

signage to direct site traffic via the A303 and slip road.

(Voting: 8 in support, 1 against and 1 abstention)