Agenda item

The construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm and associated infrastructure, including inverters, substation compound, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping. As clarified by information received 26 October 2020, 11 November 2020, 22 January 2021, 1 and 9 February 2021, 10 and 13 September 2021. 

The committee considered application P20/S3244/FUL for the construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm and associated infrastructure, including inverters, substation compound, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping on land to the North West of Stoke Talmage.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting.

The planning officer reported that since the publication of the agenda the neighbour had withdrawn their objection. The planning officer referred to paragraph 1.4, stating that the proposed solar panels would not extend to Haseley Brook. The Spartum Fen site of special scientific interest site was 700m to the north west of the location and the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty was 5km distant. The application site did not fall within any areas of special designation. There were two grade II listed structures in the area, one at 500m and the other 1km away from the application site. The application complied with local plan policy DES9 regarding renewable and low carbon energy, as it had no landscape impact as specified under this guidance. A zoning plan showing the location of the proposed panels had been shared with the council and landscaping proposals had been amended to include a landscape buffer, a double hedge, including planting along the footpath, a wildflower meadow and tree planting. It was intended that were the committee to grant planning permission, a condition would specify the implementation of landscaping. Overall, the landscape impact of the proposed development would not be significant, and any adverse outcomes could be dealt with through mitigation measures if necessary. The proposal had not received any objections from statutory consultees and was recommended for approval.

Mr. James Hartley-Bond, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Anna Badcock, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

In response to a question from the committee regarding the type of trees which were to be planted, the planning officer responded that the developer would be required to inform the council of the species which would be planted, to ensure that native varieties of tree were fully represented and that some would be mature.

In response to a question from the committee regarding the return of the land to agricultural use, and whether the designation would then be brownfield, the planning officer confirmed that a proposed condition specified a return to agricultural use after 40 years.

The committee conclude that the application fitted in well with the council’s work on climate change and global warming, was of negligible harm and not within any areas of special designation and therefore should be supported.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P20/S3244/FUL subject to the following conditions:

Time limits and approved plans -

1.       Commencement within three years.

2.       Development in accordance with approved plans.

3.       Temporary permission for a period of 40 years.

Pre-commencement conditions-

4.       Submission of final details of layout, design and scale of equipment to be submitted for approval.

5.       Details of hard and soft landscaping to be submitted for approval.

6.       Landscape and Ecological Management Plan to be submitted for approval.

7.       Tree protection to be submitted for approval.

8.       Construction Environmental Management Plan for Biodiversity to be submitted for approval.

9.       Biodiversity Enhancement Plan to be submitted for approval.

10.      Scheme for provision and management of buffer zone to watercourse to be submitted for approval.

11.      Full archaeological field evaluation to be submitted for approval.

12.      Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation to be submitted for approval.

13.      Programme of archaeological mitigation to be submitted for approval.

14.      Construction Traffic Management Plan to be submitted for approval (including wheel washing facilities).

15.      Sustainable drainage scheme to be submitted for approval.

Compliance conditions-

16.      Development to be carried out in accordance with Flood Risk Assessment.

17.      No lighting to be installed.

18.      Removal of panels if not used continuously for the production of energy for a period of six months.

End of development condition-

19.      Decommissioning Method Statement to be submitted for approval and decommissioning to be carried out within 6 months of the expiry of the 40-year planning permission and land returned to agricultural use.

Additional condition to implement landscaping.