Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Malcolm Cavill, Adam Dance and Sue Osborne.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no members of the public present.

Members noted the schedule of planning applications.

Proposal: Demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of 19 No. dwellings with associated access and parking (outline application).

The Specialist Principal Planner presented the report and clarified to members the reason this application has been referred back to committee.

He explained that previously Regulation committee had resolved to grant the application subject to completion of a Section 106 legal agreement.  However, despite numerous requests the applicant had chosen not to complete the agreement and therefore the application is returned to Regulation Committee with a recommendation for refusal as set out in the agenda report.

Ward member, Councillor William Wallace voiced his support of the officer’s recommendation for refusal for the reasons given.

There being no further debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to refuse the application as per the officer’s recommendation and as set out in the agenda report.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That Regulation Committee recommend the Chief Executive to:

Refuse Planning Permission due to the failure to complete:

a)         A section 106 agreement (in a form acceptable to the Council's solicitor(s)) in order to enable planning permission to be issued by providing an appropriate, robust mechanism to deliver the following planning obligations:

•           Three affordable housing units on-site;

•           A financial contribution towards affordable housing provision off-site; and

•           A Travel Plan

For the following reason:

01.       Whilst the principle of residential development on this vacant brownfield site within Templecombe village is considered acceptable (with the submitted illustrative plan demonstrating that 19 dwellings at a density of 20.4 units per hectare may be accommodated utilising the existing access off Troop Road, and other matters including appearance, landscaping, layout and scale may reasonably be considered at the reserved matters stage) it is the lack of an appropriate, robust mechanism to secure delivery of the necessary planning obligations of affordable housing and a Travel Plan which means the proposal is considered to be contrary to the aims and objectives of Policies SD1, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, HG2, TA1, TA5, HW1, EQ1, EQ2 and EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan and the aims and provisions of the NPPF

(1)       The proposal fails to provide an appropriate mechanism to secure the essential planning obligations required to effectively mitigate the anticipated impacts/demands which the development and the additional residents will create and is accordingly contrary to policy SS6 of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan.

(voting: unanimous)

Proposal: Application to vary planning condition 7 of approval 13/01697/FUL to extend the life of the solar farm from 25 years to 40 years.

The Planning Specialist presented the report and with the aid of a poweproint presentation highlighted the site and existing solar farm.

She explained this application was seeking permission to vary planning condition 7 to extend the time period for the operation of the existing solar farm from 25 years to 40 years.  She also confirmed the reason why the application had been brought to the Regulation Committee was purely due to the size of the site. 

The Planning Specialist highlighted the key considerations being policy support, visual and nature of impact, opportunity to continue generating renewable energy and supporting national and local objectives relating to installation and continuation of renewable energy sources. 

She also noted no objections had been received, although one letter had been received from the public advising of gaps in the landscaping scheme.  She explained the landscaping condition still applies to the site and would do so for the duration of the permission.  She had therefore advised the applicant of these concerns and their requirement to comply with the condition.  She explained that if not rectified within a suitable timescale this would be reported to the enforcement department to investigate further.

She therefore concluded that after considering all of the responses and advice, as outlined in the agenda report, her proposal was to approve the application subject to the conditions from the original permission being carried forward and amended as appropriate. 

In response to a members questions, the Planning Specialist confirmed that:

·         The landscaping condition covered the full duration of the planning permission and that if members were minded to approve this application, the condition could be amended to ensure works would need to be carried out within the next planting season.

·         At the time these applications for solar parks were first submitted the maximum timescale was for 25 years, however policy regulations have now been changed to allow for a maximum of 40 years.

During a short discussion members were in full support of the application and believed it would help secure renewable energy for the future.

There being no further debate it was then proposed and subsequently seconded to approve the application as per the officer’s recommendation and as set out in the agenda report with the amendment to the landscaping condition to ensure works to be carried out within the next planting season.  On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That Regulation Committee recommend the Chief Executive to:

Approve planning application reference 21/00056/S73A for the following reason:

01.       The proposal to vary the operational lifespan of the solar farm for a temporary period of up to 40 years from the date the solar farm was approved 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee (Informal) will be held on Tuesday 17^th August 2021 at 10.00am. However this meeting will only take place if there is business to conduct.

Members noted the date of the next meeting.