Agenda item

Application Proposal: Construction of a Photovoltaic Park with associated equipment including access track and cable route (without complying with Condition 2 of planning permission 17/00242/S73A, to extend the operational time to 40 years)

The Planning Specialist presented his report to members, explaining that the site was situated between Henstridge and Milborne Port.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, he provided plans to show the location of the site and photographs of the site and access. He explained to the Committee, that the application was to extend the life of the application by an additional 15 years.

He explained that no technical objections had been received from any statutory consultations and therefore recommended that the application be approved. 

Councillor Hayward Burt explained that Templecombe Parish Council had not been consulted by the district council.

In response to a question from a member, the Planning Specialist advised that any financial community benefits which may be provided by the developer were not a planning consideration.

Following the discussion, it was proposed and seconded that the application be approved, as per the officer recommendation.

On being put to the vote this was carried 10 votes in support, with 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED:  that members approved application 19/0379/S73A for the following reason;

01.       The proposal to vary the operational lifespan of the solar farm for a temporary period of 40 years is considered acceptable, and has no material impact on the temporary nature of the permission, which continues to respect the character of the area and causes no demonstrable harm to neighbour amenity and highway safety or the impact on the setting and local environment. The proposal is in accordance with the aims and objectives of the NPPF and Policies SD1, TA5, EQ1, EQ2, EQ4, EQ5 and EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

Subject to the following conditions;

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans which form parts of the planning permissions dated 19th October 2015 (ref 15/02718/FUL) and 10th March 2017 (ref 17/00242/S73A):

·           Planning Layout Drg. No. 1253-0201-01 Issue 04;

·           Site Location Plan Drg. No. 1253-0200-05 Issue 01;

·           Construction Access and Cable Route Drg. No 1253-0201-05;

·           Proposed Compound Area Drg. No. 1253-0201-20 Issue 01;

·           CCTV Detail Drg. No. 1253-0204-00 Issue 01;

·           Steel and Timber Fencing Detail 22 degrees Panel Angle - Drg. No. 1253-0205-03 Issue 01;

·           Mounting System Detail Drg. No. 1253-0206-09 Issue 01;

·           Bowden Lane Inverter Station Detail SMA SC Drg. No. 1253-0207-14 Issue 01

·           Bowden Lane Satellite Mounting System Drg. No. 1253-0207-20 Issue 01

·           Spares Container Detail  Drg. No. 1253-0207-40 Issue 01;

·           SSE DNO Access Road Section - Drg. No. 1253-0208-10 Issue 01;

·           Private Switchgear - Drg. No. 1253-0208-54 Issue 01;

·           DNO Switchgear  Drg. No. 1253-0208-71 Issue 01;

·           Water main easement - Drg. No. 1253-0200-50 Issue 01;

·           Drg. No. 1510728 4 Module Quer ES120 1/ 2; and

·           Drg. No.1510728 4 Module Quer ES120 2 /2.

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

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition before 31 March 2057, 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 the aims of the NPPF and Policies SD1, EQ1 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

03.       The site management plan for tree, hedge and grass maintenance of the site approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL) shall be fully implemented for the duration of the use hereby permitted, unless any variation is agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the character and appearance of the landscape in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

04.       The scheme of landscaping and planting approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL), having been completely carried out within the first available planting season from the date of commencement of the development, shall, for the duration of this permission, be protected and maintained, and any trees or plants which 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.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and landscape character in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

05.       No means of external illumination/lighting, other than those approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL) shall be installed without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the character and appearance of the landscape in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policies EQ2 and EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

06.       No CCTV equipment or other cameras shall be installed on the site other than that shown on the submitted layout plan ref. 1253-0201-01, in accordance with the CCTV design details submitted with the application.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to safeguard the character and appearance of the landscape in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

07.       No form of audible alarm shall be installed on the site without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interests of amenity and to safeguard the rural character of the setting in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policies EQ2 and EQ7 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

08.       The means of connection to the electricity grid from the site shall be in accordance with the details approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL), unless otherwise agreed in the writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the area in accordance with the aims of the NPPF and Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

09.       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 having been installed prior to the granting of this permission, shall thereafter be maintained and employed for cleaning the wheels of all lorries leaving the site, in accordance with details approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL).

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

10.       The details of measures for the benefit of wildlife (e.g. bat and bird boxes, wildflower sowing and management) approved by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL), having been fully implemented prior to the granting of this permission, shall thereafter be maintained unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: For the enhancement of biodiversity in accordance with NPPF and Local Plan Policy EQ4.

11.       The details of the finished colour of the security fencing and the finished colour and position of the CCTV equipment agreed by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL), having been carried out prior to the granting of this permission, shall thereafter be retained and maintained, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: In the interest of landscape character and visual amenity in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

12.       The supporting posts to the solar array shall not be concreted into the ground.

            Reason: In the interest of sustainable construction and to accord with part 10 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

13.       The details of the access to the site agreed by the Local Planning Authority under application 15/05036/DOC (Discharge of Conditions for application 15/02718/FUL), including visibility splays, layout and surfacing materials, having been fully implemented prior to the granting of this permission, shall thereafter be retained and maintained for the lifetime of the permission, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety, and to accord with the NPPF and Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan.

(voting: 10 votes in support, 2 abstentions)