Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Carl Doran did not participate in discussions or vote on the application, having not been present at the previous Committee meeting where the item had been previously discussed.

This application was considered first during the meeting.

Proposal:  Full planning application for Installation of a Solar park to include 40000 solar photovoltaic panels, 11 inverter/transformer cabins, a single control building and associated works to include vehicle access and fencing with Environmental Statement.

Applicant:  Wessex Solar Energy

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application as set out in agenda pages 5 to 74 of the Supplementary Agenda.

Harry Cannon, resident, spoke in objection the application.  He commented that with regards to alternative sites, he heard that the Council was giving notice to tenant farmers to vacate land for the purposes of using it for solar.  This suggested that Bartletts Farm was not the only site available.  Harry Cannon stated that additional drawings and information provided did not show an elevation from the north, which would be 50ft tall and difficult to screen.  He felt that this would have a negative visual impact.

Richard Wearmouth, Applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He commented that their Landscape Architect and the Council’s Landscape Officer had agreed that the application had no unacceptable impacts.  Once existing screening by vegetation and topography was considered, views from the surrounding area, were limited.  There would be additional buffer zones, new hedgerows, trees, and planting.  With regards to land quality, Natural England as a statutory consultee, had not raised any concerns.  The landowner had reported low crop yields despite the application of lime and fertiliser.  During the life of the solar farm the land would not be lost, and the quality of the land would be improved as more intensive agricultural practices were temporarily moved away from and regenerative farming practices were introduced.  He reminded Members that the land would eventually return to its current use.  Richard Wearmouth asked that the application be considered on its own merits.  A Site Alternative Assessment had been provided in the application, which had set out the applicant’s systematic approach to site identification.  Richard Wearmouth added that solar parks needed to be able to connect to the Grid, to be accessible from the road network and for a landowner to be willing to accommodate it on their land.  This site met these requirements.  The site was free from National and Policy designations and Rights of Way, had an onsite Grid connection and had been made available by the landowner for use.

Stuart Munro, adjoining Ward Member spoke in objection to the application.  He commented that the solar farm at Sheepbridge Court had been in place for six years and that the hedging provided, provided insufficient screening.

Gary Cowan questioned whether the site was the most appropriate location.  He commented that it was one of the first times the Council had dealt with an application of that size and that it was a learning curve for Members and Officers.  He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50