Proposed installation and operation of a renewable energy generation station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic, inverter/transformer units, control room, substations, onsite grid connection equipment, site access, access gates, internal access tracks, security measures and other ancillary infrastructure.

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

The principal planning officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mrs Fenton spoke on behalf of Weston Beggard Parish Council, Mr Breeze, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Clements, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained there were significant local objections to the application and if approved it would contravene the neighbourhood development plan (NDP). Such a contravention of the NDP would undermine its worth and credibility. The application was recommended for approval due to the benefit to the environment but the site would have an adverse impact on the landscape. Yarkhill Parish Council and Weston Beggard Parish Council both objected to the application. The current application related to a site of almost 30 hectares. Recently a similar solar farm application had been refused on an area of 10 hectares. The application was refused as the proposal would install a number of uncharacteristic structures across the landscape. This was upheld on appeal due to the harmful impact on the landscape. The area in which the current application was proposed was already inundated with solar panels. The application did not represent the protection of the environment but rather an adverse impact on the environment and landscape.

Councillor Dave Davis left the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

The Committee debated the application. There was division among the members of the committee regarding the acceptability of the application.

It was the contention of some members that there was a need for the development to contribute towards energy security and the application site was in an ideal location with other solar farms nearby and access to National Grid infrastructure.

It was the contention of other members that the scale of the site was excessive and posed an unacceptable impact on the landscape. Furthermore, it was felt the application represented an inappropriate use of vital agricultural land required for food security.

The committee queried:

-        whether conditions could be used to mitigate the impact of the development on the landscape, in particular the screening of the substation and inverter and the protection of the riverbank vegetation along the 9 metre easement to the north of the site;

-        whether a noise impact assessment had been undertaken on the application; and

-        whether concerns regarding the impact of the development on local heritage sites had been resolved;

-        the temporary nature of the proposal and if measures were in place to ensure the development could be removed before the 40 years if it was no longer in use; and

-        what assurance could be provided that the construction of the development didn’t impact upon or increase surface water flooding.

The principal planning officer provided the following clarification:

-        screening and protection of riverbank vegetation could be included in the landscape strategy;

-        a noise assessment hadn't  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12