Agenda item

The Committee considered a report for the continued use as agricultural land and new solar farm of up to 5MW of generating capacity, comprising the installation of solar photovoltaic panels and associated infrastructure including electrical inverter and transformer cabinets, switchgear and meter housing, access track, fencing, security cameras and landscaping on land.

Mr Richard Cooper spoke in objection to the application as a resident of Fringford.

Mr Peter Walker spoke in support of the application as the applicants agent.

The Committee considered the size of the proposed development and the possible impact on wildlife. Members also raised concern regarding the possibility of noise pollution.

In reaching their decision, the Committee considered the Officers report, presentation and written update.

Resolved

That application 11/00177/F be approved subject to:

a)                 the Environment Agency not raising objections or in the event of objections being raised a suitable solution to their objections being found

b)                 the following conditions:

(1)               SC 1.4 Full permission: Duration Limit (3 years) (RC2)

(2)               Except where otherwise stipulated by conditions attached to this permission, the development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the following plans and documents:

a. Planning application boundary 1:10,000 and 1:5,000

b. C210 Rev. 02 General layout Plan

c. C310 Rev. 02 Site Access Roads

d. C410 Rev. 02 Fencing and security systems layout and CCTV mast detail

e. C510 Rev. 02 Sections 1 of 2

f.  C511 Rev. 02 Sections 2 of 2

g. C610 Rev. 02 Vegetation removal plan

h. C705 Rev. 02 Typical solar panel details

i.  C705 Rev. 02 Inverter/Transformer unit layouts

j.  C707 Rev. 02 Typical fencing and security system details

k. C731 Rev. 01 Switch gear & meter housing cabins

l.   C910 Rev. 02 Cabin drainage details

m. 228503/LA/P01 Rev. A Planting plan 

(3)               Prior to the commencement of development or the delivery of any parts or materials to the site the existing means of access between the development land and the public highway (A4421) shall be widened, formed, laid out, constructed and drained in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Once approved the access works shall be constructed strictly in accordance with the highway authority’s specifications and that all ancillary works specified shall be undertaken.  (RC13BB)

(4)               Prior to the commencement of development or the delivery of any parts or materials to the site the access road (Restricted Byway) serving the site shall be widened to a minimum of 6.5m in width (to enable two Heavy Goods Vehicles to pass each other) for a minimum distance of 20m in length from the access/junction with the A4421 in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development.  Once approved these works shall be constructed strictly in accordance with the highway authority’s specifications and that all ancillary works specified shall be undertaken. (RC13BB)

(5)               Prior to the commencement of development or the delivery of any parts or materials to the site a Construction Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority which shall include a condition survey of the route and written agreement that any damage associated with the construction vehicles along the Restricted Byway shall be made good at the applicant’s expense.  The Construction Traffic Management Plan shall be implemented as approved throughout the construction of the solar farm.  (RC18AA)

(6)               That during the construction phase of the development hereby approved no construction vehicles/deliveries will arrive at or leave the site during the peak times of 0745 to 0900 and 1600 to 1800 – such a restriction will deter queuing on the public highway at busy times.  Reason: To limit the potential for queuing along the A4421 as a result of vehicles turning into or out of the site, in the interests of highway safety.

(7)               Wheel washing facilities

(8)               That all vehicular traffic serving the development shall enter and leave the site via the access to the South East of the site onto the A4421 and not via any other access.  Reason: In the interest of highway safety and to safeguard the amenities of the occupants of the adjacent dwellings during the construction and operation of the solar farm and to comply with Policy ENV1 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan and guidance within PPG13: Transport.

(9)               That before the development hereby permitted is brought into first use, the security fencing and the exterior surfaces of the electrical inverter and transformer cabinets and switchgear and meter housing shall be permanently coloured in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. (RC4A)

(10)          SC 3.1A Carry out Landscaping Scheme (RC10A)

(11)          SC 3.4AA Retain Existing Hedgerow/Tree  Boundary (with access) (RC11A)

(12)          SC 3.3AA Scheme to be submitted to protect retained trees and hedgerows (RC72A)

(13)          SC 9.4A Carry out mitigation in ecological report (RC85 A)

(14)          SC 9.5A Site Clearance (RC86A)

(15)          That the rated level of noise produced by the electrical conversion and transmission equipment shall not exceed background when measured in accordance with British Standard BS 4142:1997 at the nearest noise sensitive dwelling. (RC53AB)

(16)          Prior to the commencement of the development a professional archaeological organisation acceptable to the Local Planning Authority shall prepare an Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation, relating to the application site area, which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Reason: To safeguard the recording and inspection of matters of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with PPS5: Planning for the Historic Environment.

(17)          Prior to the commencement of development and following the approval of the Written Scheme of Investigation referred to in Condition 17, a staged programme of archaeological evaluation and mitigation shall be carried out by the commissioned archaeological organisation in accordance with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation.  The programme of work shall include all processing, research and analysis necessary to produce an accessible and useable archive and a full report for publication which shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.  Reason: To safeguard the identification, recording, analysis and archiving of heritage assets before they are lost and to advance understanding of the heritage assets in their wider context through the publication and dissemination of the evidence in accordance with PPS5:  Planning for the Historic Environment.

(18)          SC 8.18 No external floodlights/lights (RC50)

All cabling on the site to and from the solar farm shall be underground. (RC10A)