Agenda item

The erection of solar photovoltaic panels and associated works and infrastructure, including switchgear, inverter stations, access tracks, security fencing, security cameras, grid connection, together with temporary construction access, compound and unloading area

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point presentation showing the site and proposed plans.  He updated members that an additional letter of support had been received from a local resident which offered support for renewable energy. An additional consultation response had been received from Somerset Archaeology suggesting that if members were minded to approve the application, that they would like to see a condition included to ensure that archaeology works were undertaken on site as detailed in the written scheme of investigation.

The Planning Officer told members that the original scheme had now been amended to reduce the area covered by the solar array.

His recommendation was therefore to approve the application as detailed in the agenda report, subject to an additional condition to ensure the written scheme of investigation was implemented.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr C Dunford on behalf of Cucklington Parish, Cllr P Williams of North Dorset DC, Mr S Firbank of Bourton Parish Council, Mr P Munro, Mr L Fraser of Save the Vale, Mr B Trueman and Mrs PJ Trueman as residents of Cucklington, and Miss L Elson who all spoke in opposition to the application.  Their comments included:-

·         The village of Cucklington was renowned for its views from the surrounding hills and the proposed solar panels would impact upon this and tourism in the area. 

·         There were already two solar panel farms nearby and there would be less than 2km between the Silton solar array and the Clapton Farm array.

·         Bourton PC were not consulted on the application which contravenes the Bourton Village design statement.  The applicant amended the scheme but it is now more visible to residents of Bourton.

·         Were the Royal Airforce consulted as the area was used for low level flights?

·         The lane which would be used to access the site was within Dorset and there was no record of Dorset County Highways being consulted on the traffic management plan. 

·         Local residents in the surrounding villages, the local MP, the CPRE and the Save the Vale were all opposed to the proposal.  The only people in favour were those who would profit by it. 

·         This was very good farming land and already two thirds of the UK’s food was imported creating more food miles and emissions.

The Committee were then addressed by Mr M Harding-Rolls of British Solar Renewables, the applicants.  He said the solar array would provide electricity sufficient to power 1,628 homes per year.  The application was particularly mindful of the tenant farmer and the agricultural land would not be lost as sheep could graze within the site and cattle grazing could take place around the site.  He said additional planting and raised hedgerows would provide a discreet site, which had been reduced by 50% in size from the original plans, following local concerns.  Community benefit had been offered and accepted by the parish. 

The Ward Member, Councillor Mike Beech, said the application had been scaled back from the original proposal and he felt that the views from the right of way had been mitigated.  He said if permission were refused then it may be granted on appeal whereas if the Committee agreed permission then the access arrangements could be dealt with in conditions.

During discussion, Members questioned whether full consultation had taken place. 

The Area Lead (North/East) confirmed that the M.O.D do not wish to be consulted on applications for solar arrays and that all consultations had been carried out in line with procedures. However, Dorset County Council Highways had not been consulted as the highway adjoining the site was within Somerset.

The Area Lead informed members that additional conditions could be added to ensure approval was subject to no objection being raised by Dorset County Council highways and additional archaeological safeguarding condition 14 as requested by archaeologist.

It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved as per the officer’s recommendation and subject to the additional conditions as agreed.

On being put to the vote this was carried by votes in 5 favour, 4 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED:

That planning application 15/03373/FUL be approved subject to no objection being raised by Dorset County Council highways department

Justification

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, visual appearance 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 Local Plan 2006- 2028.

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:

            1088-0200- 01 Issue 01

            1171-0201- 01 Issue 011

            1171-0204- 00 Issue 01

            1171-0205- 04 Issue 01

            1171-0903- 05 Issue 01

            1171-0206- 15 Issue 01

            1171-0207- 16 Issue 01

            1171-0207- 40 Issue 01

            1171-0208- 10 Issue 01

            1171-0208- 54 Issue 01

            1171-0208- 71 Issue 01,

            694-03H, received 23 July 2015.

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

03.       Prior to commencement of development a Landscape and Ecology Management Plan detailing measures and management of the site for the benefit of biodiversity shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The Landscape and Ecology Management Plan to include hedge height maintenance shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details unless otherwise approved in writing by the local planning authority.

            Reason: For the enhancement of biodiversity in accordance with NPPF.

04.       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 EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

05.       Before any building or engineering works are carried out on the site, a construction access and contractors' parking/compound area shall be provided, surfaced and drained in accordance with a detailed scheme, which shall include the relevant visibility splays and shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Such scheme shall also indicate the eventual use of that area.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

06.       No development shall commence unless a Construction Environmental Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The works shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved plan.  The plan shall include:

• Construction vehicle movements;
• Construction operation hours;
• Construction vehicular routes to and from site;
• Construction delivery hours;
• Expected number of construction vehicles per day;
• Car parking for contractors;
• Specific measures to be adopted to mitigate construction impacts in pursuance of the Environmental Code of Construction Practice;
• A scheme to encourage the use of Public Transport/vehicle sharing amongst contactors; and
• Measures to avoid traffic congestion impacting upon the Highway Network.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to policy EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

07.       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 EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

08.       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 the commencement of work and thereafter maintained until the use of the site discontinues.

            Reason: In the interests of highway safety further to Policy EQ2 and TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

09.       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 EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

10.       The landscape planting scheme shall accord with drawing number 694-03H that removes the fastigiate cultivar that should be replaced by hedgerow hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus). The scheme shall be implemented in the first planting season following the completion of the development. Any trees or plant that 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 EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

11.       Colour tones of all associated structures shall accord with the details given in the applicant's letter of the 20 October 2015.

            Reason: In the interests of visual amenity further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

12.       The access arrangements off Tinkers Lane required during the temporary construction period shall be removed and the simple field access reinstated on completion of the solar array development hereby permitted.

            Reason: In the interests of character and appearance further to Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028.

13.       The recommendations under 7.69 to 7.74 of Planning and environmental report shall be undertaken as part of the planning permission. 

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

14.       The applicant, or their agents or successors in title, must implement and complete the programme of archaeological work in accordance with the submitted written scheme of investigation which has been approved by the local planning authority.

Reason: In the interests of the site's archaeology in accordance with Policy EQ3 of the South Somerset Local Plan 2006- 2028