Issue - meetings

22/00261/FUL - Hall Farm Land at 583941 203977, Hazeleigh Hall Lane, Hazeleigh

 

 

Meeting: 13/07/2022 - District Planning Committee (Item 157)

157 22/00261/FUL - Hall Farm Land at 583941 203977, Hazeleigh Hall Lane, Hazeleigh pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Application Number

22/00261/FUL

Location

Hall Farm Land at 583941 203977, Hazeleigh Hall Lane, Hazeleigh

Proposal

The construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm and associated infrastructure, including inverters, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping.

Applicant

Mr James Hartley-Bond – Low Carbon Solar Park 1 Limited

Agent

Mr N Bowen – DWD Property and Planning

Target Decision Date

EOT 20.07.2022

Case Officer

Devan Hearnah

Parish

Hazeleigh

Reason for Referral to the Committee / Council

Proposal is a ‘development of strategic interest’ as defined under the Scheme of Delegation

 

It was noted from the Members’ Update that a consultation response had been received from Chelmsford City Council along with some additional supporting information from the applicant and a proposed revision to condition 25.

 

Following the Officers presentation, the Agent, Mr Hartley-Bond addressed the Committee.

 

A lengthy debate ensued, during which Members raised a number of questions to which further information was provided by Officers particularly in relation to noise, how the collected energy would exit the site, wildlife and security of the site.

 

Councillor S P Nunn proposed that if the Committee were mindful to approve the application that a full archaeological condition be added.  This proposal was duly seconded.  In response the Lead Specialist Place advised that condition 6, as proposed, was a standard condition requiring some level of archaeological assessment.

 

Following further debate, Councillor A S Fluker referred to screening of the site and conditioning that it be maintained this at 2.5m within five years.  He then proposed that the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report and Member’ Update in addition to a more robust condition on archaeology and condition regarding the 2.5m growth.  This proposal was duly seconded.

 

In response to the proposal, the Lead Specialist Place advised that condition 4 covered the matter relating to landscaping.  Councillor Fluker did not agree with this and felt that within five years a screen of 2.5m should be achievable.

 

Councillor Nunn removed his earlier proposal clarified that in respect of the archaeology condition mentioned by Councillor Fluker he felt that this should include onsite assessment and field work as well as keeping a watching brief.  Councillor Fluker advised that he seconded this amendment to his earlier proposal.

 

In response the Lead Specialist Place advised that the existing archaeology and landscaping condition could be updated to require details to be submitted.

 

The Chairman moved the proposal by Councillor Fluker, as amended, and upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed.

 

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the conditions set out in the report and Members’ Update, duly amended as detailed above.