Issue - meetings

Application for installation and operation of a renewable energy generating station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and battery-based electricity storage containers together with substation, point of connection mast, switchgear container, inverter/transformer units, site access, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

Late items received after preparation of main agenda:

Since the publication of the committee report, a response has been received by the Highway Authority (Leicestershire County Council) following receipt of extra information from the applicant in connection with the site access points. The Highways Authority is satisfied with the additional information and subsequently raises no objection to the proposed development subject to the inclusion of their recommended conditions and informatives on any forthcoming decision notice should members be minded to approve the application. Their response is appended to this late items paper.

Further objections received -

3 objections post publication of the Planning Committee report have been received that raise the following matters:

·                         Loss of agricultural land;

·                         Biodiversity impact;

·                         Use of brownfield land preferred

In addition an objection has been received from Nailstone Parish Council.

The points raised in the recent objections are considered to be sufficiently addressed in the Committee report.

In addition to those outlined in para 5.2 (page 31) of the Committee report, a further 13 objections and 94 representations of support have been counted by the Planning Admin team today which have not been included within the committee report. The points raised are already captured in paras 5.2 and 5.3 of the report, with all matters considered to be addressed in the report.

Planning Conditions:-

Amendment to Planning Condition:

17.        No development approved by this planning permission shall take place until such time as infiltration testing has been carried out (or suitable evidence to preclude testing) to confirm or otherwise, the suitability of the site for the use of infiltration as a drainage element, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To demonstrate that the site is suitable (or otherwise) for the use of infiltration techniques as part of the drainage strategy to accord with Policy DM7 of the adopted Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD and the NPPF.

Conditions 17 and 21 as per the committee report are duplicates and so the suggested wording above amalgamates the two. 

Clarification:

Para. 6.3 states that LCC Archaeology object to the proposal. To clarify, LCC Archaeology do not object to the proposal, instead they recommend trial trenching to be pre-determination rather than pre-commencement as proposed through planning conditions outlined in the report.

Application for installation and operation of a renewable energy generating station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and battery-based electricity storage containers together with substation, point of connection mast, switchgear container, inverter/transformer units, site access, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

An objector, the applicant and a representative of Nailstone Parish Council spoke on this application.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Gibbens and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report and late items;

(ii)          The Planning Manager be granted powers to determine the final detail of planning conditions

(iii)         The Planning Manager be requested to review landscape screening proposed prior to issuing the decision.