Decision:
Approved, Subject to conditions
Minutes:
The Committee considered application 12/01414/F for the installation of photovoltaic panels (circa 80,262 panels), installation of inverter and converter stations, erection of boundary fencing and CCTV cameras and connection to the existing electricity grid.
In reaching their decision, the committee considered the officers’ report, written update and presentation.
Resolved
That application 12/01414/F be approved, subject to:
(a) The expiration of the consultation period and the advertisement period resulting from the amended red line (showing the access) (14 February 2013).
(b) the following conditions:
(1) SC1.4 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) Application forms
(b) Flood Risk Assessment by Chris Dartnell dated 26 September 2012
(c) Design and Access Statement by Buckle Chamberlain Partnership Ltd dated September 2012
(d) Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment by TDA dated September 2012
(e) Extended Phase1 Habitat Survey by Acer Ecology dated October 2012
(f) Construction Traffic Management Plan by Traffic and Transport Planning dated September 2012
(g) Site Location Plan (Amended)
(h) Drawing no. 1057/002 B Site Layout Plan July 2012
(i) Drawing no. 1057/003 C Proposed Boundary details July 2012
(j) Drawing no. 1057/004 B Ground Installation, Mounting Details Fixed Tilt System July 2012
(k) Drawing no. 1057/005 B CCTV Camera Installation July 2012
(l) Drawing no. 1057/006 Inverter station July 2012
(3) When the solar farm ceases its operational use the panels, support structures and associated buildings and infrastructure shall be removed in their entirety and the land shall be restored to solely agricultural use.
(4) 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)
(5) The existing hedgerow/trees along the boundary of the site shall be retained and properly maintained at a height of not less than 3 metres, and that any hedgerow/tree which may die within five years from the completion of the development shall be replaced and shall thereafter be properly maintained in accordance with this condition.
(6) Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS), undertaken in accordance with BS:5837 shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, all works on site shall be carried out in accordance with the approved AMS.
(7) Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, including any demolition, and any works of site clearance, a method statement for enhancing the biodiversity of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, the biodiversity enhancement measures shall be carried out and retained in accordance with the approved details.
(8) All site clearance (including vegetation removal) shall be timed so as to avoid the bird nesting/breeding season from 1st March to 31st August inclusive.
(9) In the case where the development hereby approved has not commenced within 1 year from the date of the approved Phase 1 Habitat Survey, prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, a revised survey shall be undertaken to establish changes in the presence, abundance and impact on badgers. The survey results, together with any necessary changes to the mitigation plan or method statement shall be submitted to and approved in writing the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.
(10) 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 area, which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
(11) Prior to the commencement of development and following the approval of the Written Scheme of Investigation referred to in condition 9, 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.
(Councillor Stevens requested that his abstention from the vote be recorded)
Supporting documents: