Issue - meetings

Refused against officer reccomendation. Reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 22/01682/F for the development of a ground mounted solar farm incorporating the installation of solar PV panels, associated infrastructure and access, as well as landscape planting and designated ecological enhancement areas at Land North of Manor Farm, Noke for Oxford New Energy.

Councillor Gemma Coton addressed the Committee as Local Ward Member.

Michael Heaney, Local Resident, Michael Tyce, on behalf of CPRE, David De Mestre, on behalf of Noke Parish Meeting and Oddington Parish Meeting addressed the meeting in objection to the application.

Jonathan Thompson, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the meeting in support of the application. 

It was proposed by Councillor Rogers and seconded by Councillor Harwood that application 22/01682/F be refused, against officer recommendation, as it was contrary to policies ESD10, ESD11, ESD12, ESD13, ESD14, ESD 15, saved policy C28 and the NPPF (exact wording for reasons for refusal to be delegated to officers).

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officers report and presentation, addresses from the public speakers and the written updates.

Resolved

That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, application 22/01682/F be refused for the following reason:

1.         The proposed solar farm constitutes inappropriate development inside the Oxford Green Belt causing significant harm to the Green Belt’s openness. Further, by virtue of the topography of the surrounding area and its exposed isolated location, the proposal, which would be visible from several public vantage points, would have a significant adverse landscape impact. The very special circumstances case put forward does not outweigh the harm identified. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD5, ESD10, ESD13, ESD14 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, saved Policy C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and the National Planning Policy Framework.