Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the report as detailed in the agenda.  He provided members with the following updates

·         The Landscape Officer who with, additional landscape evidence considered the impact was now less than moderate adverse;

·         A slight amendment to the wording of proposed condition 09 approved planting to be carried out in the immediate planting season following commencement of development;

·         Additional conditions to agree where concrete bases for panels were to be used and a requirement for additional offsite planting.

With the aid of a power point presentation the officer showed the site layout, a drawing from the agent showing additional planting to break up the views form the site and an. overhead map showing the cumulative sites. He confirmed that the recommendation was to approve the application.

Mr B Jackson and Mrs L Elson both spoke in objection to the application, if this was approved Mr Jackson would be able to see all 3 solar parks from his house he considered it better to put solar panels on the roofs of dwellings rather than agricultural land. Mrs Elson was concerned on behalf of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) that the unique view of the area would be spoilt, and walkers would be upset that the park would cross the footpath.

The agent Mr Carpendale said that metal spikes would be used instead of concrete bases; there was no public footpath across the site and the land was Grade 4.  The other sites were unobtrusive and the views to this site were limited, a mix of trees would be planted.

Ward Member Cllr Nick Colbert was concerned about the cumulative impact and would prefer to see hydro-electric power.

Ward Member Cllr Colin Winder had visited the site and did not think the park would impact the view he also confirmed that Wincanton Town Council were not quire unanimous in favour of the application. He proposed to approve the application.

During discussion varying views were expressed including:

·         Would prefer to see panels on dwellings with energy direct to users;

·         Preferred this application as opposed to one for wind turbines.

In response to queries the Area Lead East replied that there was no reason to doubt proposed condition 02 that the land would be restored to its former condition within 25years of the date of permission.  If the ground was poor some panels may need to be placed on concrete for stability and a condition would be added to cover that. Another additional condition could be added to ensure extra offsite planting.

The proposal to approve the application was seconded and on being put to the vote the motion was carried 4 votes in favour and 3 abstentions.

RESOLVED:That Planning Application 14/05472/FUL be approved as per the 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 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 the National Planning Policy Framework, and Policies SD1, EQ1 and EQ2 of the South Somerset Emerging Local Plan, and policies ST3, ST5, ST6, EC3, EC7, EH5, EH11, EH12 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 removed and the land restored to its former condition within 25 years of the date of this permission or within 6 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 the structures, materials and any ancillary equipment which shall be removed from the site.

Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to policy ST5, ST6 and EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan and EQ2 of the Emerging Local Plan, and the NPPF.

03.       Prior to the commencement of development a construction traffic management plan providing details on staff numbers, movement areas for parking and turning, the delivery of the photovoltaic panels and equipment to the site, specifically identifying proposed access routes shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and fully implemented in accordance with the approved details, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan, Policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan, and the NPPF.

04.       Before construction of the development hereby permitted commences, a properly consolidated and surfaced access shall be constructed (not loose stone or gravel) details of which shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The access shall be constructed in accordance with the agreed design and shall be maintained in the agreed form thereafter at all times for the life of the development.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan, Policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan, and the NPPF.

05.       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 any damage to the highway occurring as a result of this development is to be remedied by the developer to the satisfaction of the Highway Authority once all works have been completed on site.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan, Policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan, and the NPPF.

06.       Prior to the commencement of development a parking plan for the site and site compound shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority, to ensure parking does not exceed the proposed level and associated traffic generation expected for this development.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy ST5 of the South Somerset Local Plan, Policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan, and the NPPF.

07.       The development permitted by this planning permission shall be carried out in full accordance with the approved Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) JBA Consulting November 2014 (version 1) and the following mitigation measures detailed within the FRA:

1.         Limiting the surface water run-off generated by the 1 in 100 year   climate change critical storm so that it will not exceed the run-off from the undeveloped site and not increase the risk of flooding off-site.

2.         Provision of compensatory flood storage on the site to a 1 in 100 year   climate change.

Reason: To prevent flooding by ensuring there is no increased surface water run-off from the site, and to prevent flooding elsewhere by ensuring that compensatory storage of flood water is provided further to policy ST5 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan, and NPPF.

08.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 12073-1 Rev c; WSP-0091-GA-600-ST234 Rev C, DNOC SEP-131004-roo, and 1014/PL10 received 9 December 2014.

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

09.       The approved planting scheme (drawing 1014/PL10 received 9 December 2014) shall be implemented in the immediate planting season, November 2014 - mid March 2015; 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.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and landscape character further to policy ST6 and EC3 of the South Somerset Local Plan, and the NPPF

10.       No means of external illumination/lighting shall be installed within the site, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character and visual appearance further to policy EC3, ST5 and ST6 of the South Somerset Local Plan, Policy EQ2 of the emerging local plan and the NPPF.

11 Prior to first operational use of the development hereby permitted the extent and precise location of the use of concrete bases for the solar arrays following their provision on site as part of the permitted development shall be submitted in writing to the Local Planning Authority

Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to policy EQ2 of the

South Somerset Local Plan 2006-2028 and the NPPF.

12. The development hereby approved shall not become operational until a scheme of off-site landscaping along the eastern boundary of the site has been implemented in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA prior to the commencement of development. Any trees or plants which within a period of 5 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.

Reason: In the interests of landscape character and visual appearance further to

policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan, and the NPPF.

Informatives:

01.          Where works are to be undertaken on or adjoining the publicly maintained highway, a licence under Section 171 of the Highway Act 1980 must be obtained from the Highway Authority. Applications should be submitted at least four weeks before works are proposed to commence in order for statutory undertakers to be consulted concerning their services. The applicant should be advised that at least seven days before access works commence the Highway Service Manager must be consulted. Under Section 59 of the Highways Act 1980 allows the Highway Authority to recover certain expenses incurred in maintaining highways, where the average cost of maintenance has increased by excessive use. The condition survey will be used as evidence should damage to the highway network occur during the construction phase of the development.

(Voting: 4 in favour: 3 abstentions)