To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dave Boulter and Tony Johnson.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor Nigel Shaw acted as a substitute for Councillor Johnson.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Ann-Marie Probert declared an other interest in respect of agenda item 8, application 222316, Land at Foxhalls Farm; the applicant was a close, known associate. Councillor Probert would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillor John Hardwick declared an other interest in respect of agenda item 8, application 222316, Land at Foxhalls Farm; the applicant was a known associate and as a member of the Wye Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee.

Councillor Yolande Watson declared an other interest in respect of agenda item 8, application 222316, Land at Foxhalls Farm; as a member of the Wye Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2023.

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2023 be approved.

The installation of ground mounted solar photovoltaic array, together with associated infrastructure, security fencing, CCTV, landscaping, onsite biodiversity net gain and permissive rights of way.

Application approved with a change to conditions.

Councillor Paul Andrews left the committee to act as the local ward member for the following application.

The principal planning officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Ms Green spoke on behalf of Withington Group Parish Council, Mr Rowlatt, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Ms Isynova, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local Ward member spoke on the application. In summary, he explained that local concerns regarding the application concerned noise pollution, the loss of agricultural land and flooding from the site. It was suggested that the historic canal on site could be used to attenuate flooding issues. It was recognised that concerns regarding the application needed to be balanced against the need for green and renewable energy. The application represented a development on an industrial scale which would be in addition to the poly tunnels nearby. The scale of the proposed solar farm, the use of fencing and presence of CCTV added to the perception that this was an industrial-scale development. There were other locations in Herefordshire which were more suited to this type of development.

In accordance with the council's constitution the adjoining local Ward member spoke on the application. In summary he explained that 45,000 solar panels of 3 metres in height would have a negative impact upon the local community, agricultural land and the landscape. There had not been an adequate assessment of the impact of the cable to the national grid that that would run from the site to the Dormington sub-station. The term of the development of 30 years should not be considered not temporary and the impact of the solar farm over that period would be substantial. Agriculture would be undermined in the area with the loss of land having consequences on efforts to address food security. The noise emitting from the development would have a negative impact on the local community and the mechanism to deal with noise complaints was not sufficiently robust. The credibility of the biodiversity improvements arising from the development were queried. The impact on the quality of the land over the period of the development could not be accurately assessed. Despite the reduction in the scale of the application the proposed solar farm would still have an adverse impact on the landscape. The number of solar panels proposed and the height of the fence would have a detrimental impact on the landscape. A previous application for a solar farm, that was smaller in scale, had been refused by the local authority and at appeal due to its impact on the landscape.

The committee debated the application.

The committee considered that condition 13 concerning the noise management plan required strengthening. The interval at which the noise management plan was reviewed needed to be more frequent than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Proposed change of use of building to holiday let.

Application approved with a change to conditions.

The senior planning officer gave a presentation on the application and updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes. The senior planning officer explained that an additional condition was also necessary to restrict the occupancy of the building to holiday lets only.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Bennett, spoke on behalf of Marden Parish Council, Ms Seamer, local resident, spoke in objection to the application and Mr Powell, applicant, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member provided a statement on the application which was read to the committee. In summary, she explained that previously applications on the site had been refused as the principle of development in the location was unacceptable. A number of objections concerned the retrospective nature of the application. It was explained that the site was outside the Marden neighbourhood development plan (NDP) and was accessed by busy roads. There was concern that the application added to the cumulative impact of other housing and agricultural applications locally. The impact on highways was unacceptable given the poor state of roads in the locality. It was explained that flooding in the area was an issue and there was concern that pollution from the septic tank at the development could enter local drainage channels. The proposed holiday let was very close to existing properties; noise and light pollution would affect local residents. The application would not encourage sustainable tourism as there was a lack of public transport and busy narrow lanes were not suitable for cyclists and walkers. The application was considered contrary to: Core Strategy policies RA2, RA3, RA5, RA6, LD1, LD2, SD1, SD2, SD3 and E4; Marden NDP policies M1 M2 M3 M12 and M14; and to the national planning policy framework paragraphs 8 and 11. The local ward member urged the committee to refuse the application.

The committee debated the application.

The committee supported the inclusion of a condition to restrict the occupancy of the building to holiday lets only.

The committee sought additional conditions to include: the treatment of roof lights on the building to reduce light spill; the provision of an electric vehicle charging point at the holiday let; and the inclusion of a rainwater harvesting butt at the holiday let.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. She provided a statement which was read to the committee and explained how the application was contrary to planning policies in the core strategy, the neighbourhood development plan and the national planning policy framework. It was explained that there were a number of local representations in objection to the planning application and the committee was urged to refuse the planning application.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation, and including: an additional condition restricting occupancy to holiday lets only; an additional condition for the treatment of roof lights on the building  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Erection of an agricultural workers dwelling, including a new garage and associated works.

Application refused, in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation.

The senior planning officer gave a presentation on the application and the updates/representations received following the publication of the agenda as provided in the update sheet and appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking Mr Rogers, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with the council's constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. He explained that the need for the development as an agricultural dwelling had been established and there was widespread public support for the application from the community and the parish council. The design of the development was agricultural in nature and would be sympathetic to the landscape. The building was close to the farm at which the applicant worked. It was proposed that the building would be set into the hillside and not as obtrusive along Much Marcle Ridge as other local houses; the impact on the landscape would be minimal. Utilities to the property would be provided by solar panels and bottled gas.

The committee debated the application.

The local ward member was given the opportunity to close the debate. There was a need for the agricultural dwelling which was less than 250 m away from the farm at which the applicant worked. The building would be set into the hillside by 2 metres and surrounded by hedges and trees limiting the impact on the landscape. The proposed house was of a more sympathetic design than other houses along Much Marcle Ridge.

A motion that the application be refused in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Polly Andrews and seconded by Councillor Felicity Norman. The motion was put to the vote and was carried by a simple majority.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

Councillor Probert returned to the meeting at 1:35 p.m.

Proposed single storey rear extension.

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

Councillor Elizabeth Foxton left the committee to act as the local ward member for the following application.

The planning officer gave a presentation on the application.

In accordance with the council’s constitution the local ward member spoke on the application. She explained that the extension blended sympathetically into the row of houses on Foley Street.

A motion that the application be approved in accordance with the case officer’s recommendation was moved by Councillor Sebastian Bowen and seconded by Councillor Jeremy Milln. The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and any other further conditions considered necessary by officers named in the scheme of delegation to officers:

That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

INFORMATIVES: