Installation of an energy storage system, substation and associated works.

Application approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

Councillor Dave Davies left the committee to act as the adjoining ward member for the following application.

The Principal Planning Officer minerals and waste provided a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Roe spoke on behalf of Peterstow Parish Council, Mr Wheeler, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Turner, the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the Council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, she explained that she was speaking on behalf of local residents and Peterstow Parish who opposed the application. The parish council had considered the application and had determined that the development was not in a suitable location. It was noted that the landscape officer had made an objection to the application which remained unresolved. The impact of the application on the landscape was contrary to core strategy policies SS7, LD 1, LD2 and paragraph 187 of the NPPF. The location of the site was in a steep field and significant earth moving would be required. This would result in significant change to the character of the area. The development represented a major and adverse impact on the landscape and the local right of way. The application proposed the use of grade 2 agricultural land. This would result in the loss of arable land and was therefore contrary to core strategy policy SS7 and paragraph 174 B of the NPPF. The battery storage site would be located next to a gas line; this was hazardous and posed significant safety risks. It was noted that there were water tanks on site in case of fire but these would only discharge water flow for two hours; there was concern that there would be insufficient capacity to address larger fires. The Environment Agency provide advice that such proposals should not be situated near to rivers however the application site was close to local water courses which fed the River Wye. The application was contrary to the neighbourhood development plan policies PTS 1, 2, 3 and 17. It was contended that the application was not in the right place, represented a loss of farmland, contributed to the industrialisation of the area and therefore posed an adverse impact on the landscape.

In accordance with the Council’s constitution the adjoining local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained that the importance of the application to contribute towards energy storage and renewable energy was acknowledged however it was questioned whether the application was in the right location due to the loss of farmland and the impact on the landscape.

The committee debated the application. There was division among the members of the committee. Some members of the committee supported the application as an important element of the local electricity infrastructure and did not consider the impact of the development upon the landscape to be adverse. Other members of the committee considered the impact of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52