Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of previous meetings held on 20^th April 2021 and 20^th July 2021 (Informal Meeting).

The minutes of the Regulation Committee meetings held on 20^th April 2021 and 20^th July 2021 (Informal), copies of which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Malcolm Cavill, Adam Dance, Peter Gubbins and Crispin Raikes.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

Councillor Sarah Dyke declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 Planning Application 21/01785/S73A as she is a resident of Cucklington.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Proposal: Section 73A application for a minor material amendment to vary condition 03 of planning permission 19/01786/FUL to allow retention of the installation of a CCTV camera system comprising of a network of wooden pole mounted cameras, related cabinets and ducting, plus ancillary and related equipment until 23^rd March 2057.

The Development Management Specialist presented the report and with the aid of a poweproint presentation highlighted the site, existing solar farm and CCTV camera system. 

He confirmed there had been no updates since the report had been published, no objections had been received and that it had been referred to the Regulation Committee as it is a ‘major major’ application.

He explained this application was seeking permission for a minor material amendment to vary condition 03 of planning permission 19/01786/FUL to allow retention of the CCTV camera system until 23^rd March 2057.  This would regularise the situation and allow the CCTV camera system to have the same temporary planning permission as the main solar farm.

The Development Planning Specialist highlighted the key considerations being; varying condition would coincide with the same temporary approved permission as the solar farm, proposal will still respect the character of the area and has no detrimental effect on amenity or highway safety or general impact on the character of the area, no objections raised from adjoining authority, accords with the aims and objectives of the NPPF and policies in the Local plan and that permission will cease on 23^rd March 2057 or within 6 months of the cessation of the use of the solar farm.

He therefore concluded that his recommendation was to approve the application subject to the conditions as set out in the agenda report.

The Agent then addressed the committee and briefly confirmed he was happy with the officer’s presentation and that he had covered all points of the application.

During a short discussion, members questioned the reason why this application had been referred to the Regulation Committee.  They acknowledged the officer was following current council procedure but believed that it was not necessary for an application such as this to be referred to committee for determination.  They highlighted the need to streamline the current process to develop efficiency to ensure the most effective use of staff resources and time.

There being no debate, it was then proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the officers 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:

Approve planning application reference 21/01785/S73A for the following reason:

01.    The retention of the CCTV camera system for the same temporary period of time as the operational lifespan of the solar farm as a whole 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The next scheduled meeting of the Regulation Committee (Informal) will be held on Tuesday 21^st September 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.