Issue - meetings

Application for construction of a 62 hectare solar park to include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity with access from Wharf Lane and Stapleton Lane and associated substations, inverters, perimeter stock fencing, access tracks, CCTV and landscaping

Late items:

Consultations:-

Final comments have been received from LCC Highways who do not object to the proposal subject to conditions.

Final comments have been received from LCC Archaeology who object to the proposal

Appraisal:-

The Local Highway Authority Advice is that, in its view, the impacts of the development on highway safety would not be unacceptable, and when considered cumulatively with other developments, the impacts on the road network would not be severe. Based on the information provided, the development therefore does not conflict with paragraph 109 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2019), subject to the conditions and/or planning obligations outlined in this report.

The Applicant has submitted PFA Consulting drawing number E197/03 Rev C, which details a revised site access. The submitted tracking drawing details that vehicles will be able to exit the site without crossing the centreline. The Applicant has proposed to reduce the radii of the access following construction at the request of the LPA. While the reduction in access width is not considered essential to the LHA, this reduction is accepted and the LHA would have no objection to the access radii being reduced as detailed once construction is complete.

The Applicant has advised they will manage HGVs on Fenn Lanes by way of radio communication on the basis that outbound HGV's from the site would be held on-site and only released from the site when inbound HGV's to the site are clear of the Fenn Lanes/ A444 junction and Sutton Wharf Bridge. The Applicant will include these measures within a Construction Traffic Management Plan, which the LHA would advise is secured by condition.

The final comments from LCC Highways therefore confirm that the additional information satisfactorily addresses the concerns raised and there are no outstanding Highways matters that require addressing.

LCC Archaeology refer back to previous detailed comments as, broadly speaking, their views and concerns regarding the adverse impacts upon the setting and special character of the registered battlefield remain unchanged.   LCC Arch. retains their outstanding concerns regarding the harm that the development would have on the rural and historic setting of the battlefield.  LCC Arch. refer to the revised and detailed comments issued by Historic England, and are fully supportive of their position in objecting to this scheme.

In addition to the above expressed concern, LCC Arch. also wish to reiterate their concerns regarding the absence of proper assessment of the below-ground archaeological potential of the site. While in response to previous comments, the applicant has commissioned a geophysical survey of the application area, LCC Arch. do not consider this to provide an adequate assessment of the archaeological potential that the site holds.

Having reviewed the submitted report on geophysical survey, it has been noted that the work has been effective in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 400

Application for construction of a 62 hectare solar park to include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity with access from Wharf Lane and Stapleton Lane and associated substations, inverters, perimeter stock fencing, access tracks, CCTV and landscaping.

It was moved by Councillor Collett, seconded by Councillor Findlay and

RESOLVED – permission be refused for the reasons contained in the officer’s report and late items.