Agenda item

Erection of a Solar Photovoltaic Farm with an output capacity not to exceed 49.9MW of energy, with associated battery storage and supporting infrastructure including inverters and a transformer, fencing, CCTV installation and landscaping works.

DECISION – GRANT as per officer recommendation, subject to the conditions and informatives, clarifications within the addendum and two additional planning conditions:

i) Notwithstanding the details submitted with the application on plan no. 0023.01 Rev. A (Panel Elevations) no construction for the below-ground operational development for the foundations or supporting structures shall take place until details of specific depth and width for each foundation and supporting structure has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved, the scheme shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. 

REASON: Insufficient details were submitted with the application and are required in order to understand the extent of foundations and supporting structures in the interests of proper planning and for the avoidance of doubt.

ii) Notwithstanding the details submitted with the application, prior to the first export date, the applicant shall submit details of mechanisms for maintenance of electrical elements and an overall fire safety precaution statement for the development.  

REASON: Insufficient details were submitted with the application and are required in order to understand the potential fire safety implications.

Erection of a Solar Photovoltaic Farm with an output capacity not to exceed 49.9MW of energy, with associated battery storage and supporting infrastructure including inverters and a transformer, fencing, CCTV installation and landscaping works.

Members considered the following:

·       The long list of objectors

·       The agricultural use and 3a status of the land

·       Unlikely prospect of a fire (e.g. wind turbines in strong winds)

·       Whether there are ways of using solar panels that do not damage the land

·       Changing attitudes to solar panels in light of climate emergency

·       The voltage handover, agreement and connection to the national grid

·       Visual impact

·       That the cottages are not included in the application site

Members discussed:

Details of the application

·       As the permission would run for 40 years, would the site become ‘brownfield’ and then housing?

·       That after 40 years another solar application could be submitted

·       The underground works, in particular concrete bases should be detailed and minimal

·       Emotive nature of application

Impacts on neighbours

·       The two affected cottages would be surrounded by panels, security fences and cctv

·       The view of solar panels from the cottages may affect the wellbeing of the cottage owners

·       The moderate loss of residential amenities

·       Definition of ‘overbearing’ in the dictionary and if considered so, and whether the panels would be overbearing or oppressive

·       The right to a view in respect of planning considerations

Climate Emergency

·       The Council declared a Climate Emergency in April 2021, with key targets to become a carbon neutral district by 2040

·       The environmental effects of shipping the wheat grown on the site overseas

·       The materials and shipping costs associated with this application

·       Proposed use likely to cause less pollution

·       The aims of the district and the importance of the Climate Emergency, COP26

·       Whether mitigating circumstances overrule the Climate Emergency

Compulsory purchase orders

·       Whether the applicant had considered purchasing the affected properties

·       Compulsory purchase orders cannot be conditioned at this committee

·       Owners of affected properties could pursue their own independent legal advice

Members requested the addition of two conditions regarding concrete bases and fire safety if the application were to be granted.

Members asked for a recorded vote on the application:

FOR the application: Ambler, Blewett, Cockarill, Delaney, Oliver, Radley, Southern (7)

AGAINST: Kennett (1)

ABSTAINED: Worlock (1)

DECISION – GRANT as per officer recommendation, subject to the conditions and informatives, clarifications within the addendum and two additional planning conditions:

i) Notwithstanding the details submitted with the application on plan no. 0023.01 Rev. A (Panel Elevations) no construction for the below-ground operational development for the foundations or supporting structures shall take place until details of specific depth and width for each foundation and supporting structure has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Once approved, the scheme shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. 

REASON: Insufficient details were submitted with the application and are required in order to understand the extent of foundations and supporting structures in the interests of proper planning and for the avoidance of doubt.

ii) Notwithstanding the details submitted with the application, prior to the first export date, the applicant shall submit details of mechanisms for maintenance of electrical elements and an overall fire safety precaution statement for the development.  

REASON: Insufficient details were submitted with the application and are required in order to understand the potential fire safety implications.  

Notes:

Site Visit – 9 November 2021 and attended by Councillors Ambler, Kennett, Worlock.

Councillor Angela McFarlane spoke for Odiham Parish Council against the application.

Mr Michael Mayes spoke against the application.

Mr Ben Pratt spoke for the application.