Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation, (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

It was noted from the Members’ Update that an additional representation from an interested party had been received.

Following the Officers presentation the Applicant, Mr James Wallwork addressed the Committee.

During the debate that ensued some Members raised concerns regarding the development, including access to the site past local schools, the overall height of the solar panels including their impact on the surrounding area, and the proposed materials used for the entrance and exit of the site.

In response to a request for an additional condition to request that the contractors repaired any damage to the access roads or property, Officers advised that this would depend on who owned the road as if privately owned this would be a civil matter.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that a pre-commencement condition be added regarding the binding of roads after completion. In response the Principal Planning Officer advised that was included within the suggested conditions.

Following further discussion, Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that Members accept the officers’ proposal to approve the application and this was duly seconded.

Members discussed the fire safety of the site, and in response to some concerns raised the Officer reassured the Committee that a consultation with the fire authority had taken place and a number of conditions, which included a fire risk management plan were proposed.

At this point in the meeting the Chairperson put Councillor Morgan’s proposal of approval to the Committee and this was duly agreed. It was further agreed that an additional conditionl regarding surfacing materials would be included. Councillors A S Fluker, M G Neall, D O Bown, K M H Lagan, L J Haywood, J C Stilts, W Stamp, U G C Siddal-Norman, S Dodsley, M G Bassenger and J C Hughes requested to have their vote against the approval recorded.

RESOLVED that this application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions and an additional condition regarding surfacing materials:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of five years from the date of this permission.

2.         The grant of planning permission shall expire 40 years from the date of when electricity is first exported from any of the solar panels to the electricity grid ("First Export Date"). Written notification of the First Export Date shall be given to the Local Planning Authority within 1 month of its occurrence.

3.         If the use of the hereby approved development should cease for the purposes of energy generation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 220