Agenda item

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the report that recommended that the application be approved with conditions.

 

Mr. Clive Taylor and Mr. Mark Sullivan spoke in objection to the application; and Mr. Jake Stentiford spoke in support of the application.

 

In the absence of the local members, Cllr Jonathon Seed began the debate.

 

Issues discussed in the course of the presentation and debate included: the use of the land in the context of the site history; the potential visual impact upon the surrounding area; the highway and access considerations and potential impact on amenity. Also discussed were solar farms, the use of the generators and the need to separate the purpose of operation of the two; the frequency of use of the generator; the environmental impact on the surrounding area and emissions from the generator which could be the equivalence of 500 diesel cars running;

 

Cllr Jonathon Seed proposed, subsequently seconded by Cllr Roy While that the Committee should approve the application as per the officer’s recommendations detailed in the report.

 

In questioning the Senior Planning Officer, the Committee sought clarity on Core Policy 48/58/51 and its relevance and compliance with the application before the Committee, health concerns and the assessment of air quality, why the application was not considered as a Schedule 1 EIA Development, the heat generating capacity in relation to the established threshold of 300 megawatts, quality of input from Highways and vehicular movement for the delivering of fuel to power the generator

 

 

In response to the above, the Senior Planning Officer reiterated that the sole purpose of the generator was to provide backup power to the National Grid in periods of high demand. He explained that the application was not Schedule 1 EIA Development applicable because it did not involve a thermal power station and the associated combustion.

 

The generating power of the generator was confirmed as 10 megawatts with the delivery of fuel for powering the generator estimated as once a month.

         

Resolved to grant permission subject to the following conditions:

 

1        The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

 

REASON:   To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

 

2        The existing hedgerow (and hedgerow trees) along the northern boundary of the site as shown on the Landscape Proposals plan YOR_2567_03 Rev-F shall be protected during construction in accordance with BS 5837:2012 and shall not be removed without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.

 

REASON: In the interests of biodiversity and landscape.

 

3        The hedgerows to be planted on the southern and western boundaries of the site, as shown on the Landscape Proposals plan YOR_2567_03 Rev-F, shall be planted in accordance with a schedule to be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority and shall be protected and maintained in accordance with the specification provided on the said plan for a period of no less than 30 years.

 

REASON: In the interests of biodiversity and landscape. To ensure the newly planted hedgerows are protected and maintained for a period of at least 30 years, after which they would be protected by the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.

 

4        No external lighting shall be installed on site until plans showing the type of light appliance, the height and position of fitting, illumination levels and light spillage have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The lighting approved shall be installed and shall be maintained in accordance with the approved details.

 

REASON: In the interests of the amenities of the area and to minimise unnecessary light spillage above and outside the development.

 

 

5        The development shall not be first brought into use until plans showing any bunding required within the compound to accord with legislation in respect of pollution control have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning authority, and such facilities have been constructed and completed in accordance with plans.

 

REASON: To prevent pollution of the water environment,

 

6        The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

 

Location Plan received on 24 September 2015

449-03-A received on 18 January 2016

449-04 received on 24 September 2015

449-05 received on 24 September 2015

449-06 received on 24 September 2015

449-07 received on 24 September 2015

449-08 received on 24 September 2015

YOR,2567_03 received on 18 January 2016

 

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

 

7        INFORMATIVES:

 

The applicant should note that under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) it is an offence to disturb or harm any protected species, or to damage or disturb their habitat or resting place.  Please note that this consent does not override the statutory protection afforded to any such species.  In the event that your proposals could potentially affect a protected species you should seek the advice of a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist and consider the need for a licence from Natural England prior to commencing works.  Please visit the following websites for more information:

 

 

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/biodiversityanddevelopment.htm

 

https://www.gov.uk/protected-species-and-sites-how-to-review-planning-proposals

 

The Environment Agency invites the applicants' attention to the following link for further advice/information on oil storage regulations:

 

https://www.gov.uk/oil-storage-regulations-and-safety/overview

 

 

Recorded Vote

 

The above decision was the subject of a recorded vote, recorded as follows:

 

For the decision (5):

Councillors Andrew Davis, Dennis Drewett, Cllr Pip Ridout, Cllr Jonathon Seed and Cllr Roy While.

 

 

Against the decision (4):

Councillors Trevor Carbin, Ernie Clark, John Knight and Magnus Macdonald.

 

 

Abstention (2):

Councillors Christopher Newbury and Jerry Wickham.