Agenda item
Planning Application 15/03187/FUL - Land OS 5600 Chaffcombe Road, Chard
- Meeting of Area West Committee, Wednesday 21st October 2015 5.00 pm (Item 63.)
- View the declarations of interest for item 63.
Minutes:
Application Proposal: Installation of up to a 3 MW solar farm comprising ground mounted photovoltaic solar arrays together with power inverter systems, transformers and substations, internal access track, landscaping, deer fencing, CCTV and other associated infrastructure equipment
(Having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Councillor Dave Bulmer left the room during consideration of the application)
The Planning Officer introduced the report and with the aid of slides and photographs summarised the details of the application as set out in the agenda. There were no updates to the report. The key considerations were principle of development, landscape character and highway safety. The Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval.
In response to questions from Members, the Planning Officer confirmed that:
· Sheep would be able to graze underneath the panels;
· The Countryside Manager had not been consulted on the application;
· It was felt that there would be no direct impact on Chard Reservoir.
The Committee was addressed by the Applicant, James Jenkison. He commented that the site was well concealed and informed members that a survey had been carried out which concluded that there would be no harm to wildlife. He said that the amount of traffic connected with the construction of the site would be minimal and should not cause any problems.
The Ward Member, Cllr Garry Shortland commented that in the past there had been a waste transfer site located further down the road that would of generated more traffic movements than anticipated with the proposed site. He referred to the need for renewable energy and recommended that the application be approved.
It was proposed and seconded to approve the application as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation. On being put to the vote, the proposal was carried unanimously.
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RESOLVED: |
That Planning Application 15/03187/FUL be APPROVED as per the Planning Officer’s recommendation for the following reason: 01. 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. 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, the National Planning Practice Guidance and Policies EQ1, EQ2, TA5 and EQ4 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 (except where directed otherwise by the conditions below) Drawing no. D14_2124_01 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. D14_2124_02 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. D14_2124_08 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. D14_2124_05 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. D14_2124_04 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. All_Projects_10 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. PRG_C412_A received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. CWS_AP_07 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. D14_2124_09 received 9 July 2015 Drawing no. ISD-SGD-008 Revision #2 received 9 July 2015 Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning. 03. The development hereby permitted shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition 25 years after the date of first export of electricity to the National Grid, 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 the submitted Decommissioning Method Statement attached to the approved application, dated July 2015. Any variations to the Decommissioning Method Statement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Reason: In the interests of landscape character and visual amenity in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 04. Within one month of the date of first export of electricity to the grid, written confirmation of this date shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for their records. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning 05. The supporting posts to the solar array shall not be concreted into the ground. Reason: In the interests of sustainable construction and to accord with Part 10 of the NPPF. 06. The scheme of landscaping shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and specifically the Landscape Strategy fig. 7 dated June 2015, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority. All planting, seeding, turfing or earth moulding comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the completion of the development hereby approved; and 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 landscape character and visual amenity in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 07. No means of external illumination/lighting shall be installed without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority. Reason: In the interests of landscape character, visual amenity and to safeguard the rural character of the area in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 08. No form of audible alarm shall be installed on the site without the prior written consent of the local planning authority. Reason: In the interest of residential amenity and the rural amenities of the area in accordance with Policy EQ2 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 09. All existing hedges or hedgerows shall be retained, unless shown on the approved drawings as being removed. All hedges and hedgerows on and immediately adjoining the site shall be protected from damage for the duration of works on the site to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority in accordance with the recommendations in British Standard 5837 1991. Any part(s) of hedges or hedgerows removed without the Local Planning Authority's consent or which die or become, in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, seriously diseased or otherwise damaged within five years following contractual practicable completion of the approved development shall be replaced as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any event, by not later than the end of the first available planting season, with plants of such size and species and in such positions as may be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To protect legally protected species of recognised nature conservation importance in accordance with NPPF and Policy EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan, The Habitats Regulations 2010, and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 10. The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with recommendations and suggestions for mitigation and enhancement contained within the submitted Ecological Survey, Breeding Survey, Wintering Bird Survey and Great Crested Newt Survey (carried out by Clarkson & Woods Ecological Consultants), unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning authority. Reason: For the enhancement of biodiversity in accordance with NPPF and Local Plan Policy EQ4 11. The construction of the works hereby approved shall take place in full accordance with the submitted Tree Report carried out by Hellis Tree Consultants, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To preserve the health, structure and amenity value of protected trees in accordance with the Council's statutory duties relating to The Town & Country Planning Act, 1990 (as amended)[1] and the policies EQ2 and EQ4 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 12. Any gates shall be located 5 metres back from the edge of the highway and open inwards. Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to accord with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). 13. The development hereby approved shall be strictly carried out in accordance with the submitted Access Appraisal by i-Transport including the plans attached to the appraisal, the Construction Traffic Management set out within the submitted Construction Environmental Management Plan Revision A, dated July 2015 and the submitted Vehicle Swept Path Analysis drawing no. ITB11019-GA-003 dated September 2015, in regard to the following points, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local planning authority; 1. Access to the site off Chaffcombe Road is from the west only and visibility splays are maintained and retained as shown within the Access Appraisal 2. A Banksman is provided for safe access to and from the site from Chaffcombe Road for HGVs 3. During construction signs are placed on Chaffcombe Road to warn of HGVs accessing the site. 4. Traffic to enter and leave the site only between the hours of 07:30 and 19:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00 and 17:00 on Saturday and no time on Sundays or Bank Holidays 5. A temporary on-site construction compound to be provided with turning for HGVs 6. All access tracks, both permanent and temporary shall be installed before any other works commence on site or deliveries made. 7. The tracks shall be installed as per the details submitted in the CEMP 8. Wheel washing facilities to be provided in line with details submitted in the CEMP Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to accord with Policy TA5 of the South Somerset Local Plan (Adopted March 2015). Informatives: 01. The Applicant is advised that the Highway Service Manager for South Somerset Area at The Highways Depot, Mead Avenue, Houndstone Business Park, BA22 8RT Tel: 0845 345 9155, email: countyroads-southsom@somerset.gov.uk must be consulted with regard to the proposed temporary signage. 02. Please be aware of the comments and advice set out within the Natural England's letter dated 14 august 2015, in particular you are advised to follow guidance.TIN101:Solar Parks; Maximising environmental benefits in relation to bat protection. The mitigation required for foraging bats is a 6 -9 metre buffer next to ditches and 5 metre buffer adjacent to the hedges. (Voting: unanimous) |
Supporting documents:
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