Construction and operation of a renewable energy scheme comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic (pv) arrays together with ancillary battery storage and other associated infrastructure including inverters, external switchgear, dno substation, customer substation, security cameras, perimeter fencing, access tracks and landscaping.
Minutes:
Public Participation
David Dean, Agent, spoke in support of the application.
Cllr Richard Allan, on behalf of Hilperton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.
Andrew Guest, Head of Development Management, presented a report which recommended permission be granted for construction and operation of a renewable energy scheme comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic (pv) arrays together with ancillary battery storage and other associated infrastructure including inverters, external switchgear, DNO substation, customer substation, security cameras, perimeter fencing, access tracks and landscaping.
Details of the application and the site were provided, including the temporary construction compound, as well as relevant council and national policies. Key details included the principal of development, as well as impacts on character of the area. No objections had been received from Highways.
Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of the officers. It was confirmed there was a condition in respect of the colour of fencing and containers on the site, and that public protection advice had been received that noise generated should not be above background noise level. Questions were also raised on construction of previous installations nearby, and operational considerations on fire risk.
Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.
The local Unitary Member, Councillor Ernie Clark, highlighted the comments from the parish council and the issues raised.
The Committee then debated the application. Strengthening conditions relating to landscaping plans was raised, along with other details on planting and screening. The mover and seconded accepted adjustments to conditions on height of hedges and other landscaping. The structural integrity of a bridge that would be crossed by construction vehicles, with a road condition survey one of the conditions, was also discussed.
On the motion of Councillor Tony Trotman, seconded by Councillor James Sheppard, it was then,
Resolved:
To GRANT planning 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 development
hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the
following approved plans:
Drawings No:
INR001-SP-01, Rev 05, Whaddon Farm Site Location Plan, as received
on 22 March 2021; INR001-PL-01, Rev 10, Whaddon Farm Site Layout,
as received on 28 September 2021; INR001-PL-02, Rev 03, Whaddon
Farm Panel Elevations, as received on 22 March 2021; INR001-PL-04,
Rev 02, Whaddon Farm DNO Substation Elevations, as received on 22
March 2021; INR001-PL-05, Rev 01, Whaddon Farm Customer Substation
Elevations and Floor Plan, as received on 11 May 2021;
INR001-PL-06, Rev 01, Whaddon Farm Cross Section of Internal Access
Track, as received on 22 March 2021; INR001-PL-07, Rev 01, Whaddon
Farm Fence and Gate Elevations, as received on 22 March 2021;
INR001-PL-08, Rev 01, Whaddon Farm CCTV Pole Elevation, as received
on 22 March 2021; INR001-PL-09, Rev 02, Whaddon Farm Inverter
Elevations and Floor Plan, as received on 11 May 2021;
INR001-PL-11, Rev 01, Whaddon Farm External Switchgear Elevations
and Floor Plan, as received on 11 May 2021; INR001-PL-12, Rev 01,
Whaddon Farm Battery Elevations and Floor Plan, as received on 11
May 2021; INR001-PL-13, Rev 01, Whaddon Farm Battery Inverter
Elevations and Floor Plan, as received on 11 May 2021;
P19-1958.100, Rev A, Indicative Landscape Sections, as received on
24 September 2021; CR0613, Figure 1, Archaeological Survey Update
Plan, as received on 24 September
2021.
REASON: For the
avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper
planning.
INFORMATIVE: Drawing
no. P19-1958_11, Rev B,
Detailed Planting Plan, as received on 24 September 2021, is not
approved - see condition 18.
3 The permission hereby granted
shall be for a temporary period and shall expire 40 years from the
date that electricity from the development is first exported to the
electricity distribution network (‘First Export Date’)
or no later than 44 years from the date of this decision, whichever
is the soonest. Written confirmation of the First Export Date shall
be provided to the Local Planning Authority no later than 1
calendar month after that First Export Date. Within 6 months of the
date of expiry of this planning permission, or, if sooner, the
cessation of the use of the solar panels for electricity generation
purposes for a continuous period of 6 months, the solar panels
together with any supporting/associated infrastructure including
the inverter stations, security equipment, poles and fencing shall
be removed from the land and the land restored to its former
agricultural condition in accordance with a scheme of work to be
submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning
authority. The scheme of work, including
a
restoration plan and a
decommissioning scheme that takes account of a recent ecological
survey, shall be submitted to the local planning authority not less
than six months before the removal of the
installation.
REASON: In the
interests of amenity and the circumstances of the
use.
4 The temporary
construction compound hereby approved shall be used solely during
the construction phase of the solar farm, and within three months
following the completion of the solar farm, the compound shall be
fully removed with all materials, plant and debris to be cleared
from the site. If a temporary compound is required as part of the
decommissioning phase of the solar farm, details of this shall be
submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority
no less than six months before the decommissioning of the site
commences.
REASON: In the
interests of visual amenity and to ensure the land is fully
restored to its former use and
condition.
5 No development shall
commence on site until full details (including the RAL colour) of
the finish and colour of all structures, equipment, fencing and
CCTV poles, and support frames for the solar panels hereby approved
have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local
Planning Authority.
REASON: In the interest
of amenity and the appearance of the
site.
6 No development shall
commence on site until an Archaeological Management Plan, setting
out how the two areas identified as being areas of archaeological
interest on drawing reference INR001-PL-01, Rev 10 (Whaddon Farm
Site Layout) shall be protected from harm during both the
construction and operational phases of the solar farm, have been
submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning
Authority.
REASON: To enable the
preservation of sites of archaeological
interest.
NOTE: The
Archaeological Management Plan is to be prepared by qualified
archaeologists and the costs of the work are to be borne by the
applicant.
7 No development hereby
permitted shall commence until a road condition survey of the roads
leading from Hilperton Village Hall to the main site access along
Whaddon Lane has been submitted to and approved in writing by the
local planning authority. The condition survey shall detail a
programme of measures to be employed to ensure the highway remains
free from damage and measures of how any damage would be
remediated. Should any damage be caused to the public highway as a
result of the construction, operational or decommissioning phases
of the development, all damage shall be remediated in
accordance with the approved details within three
months.
REASON: In the
interests of highway safety and to ensure that the condition of the
highway is maintained.
8 No development hereby
permitted shall commence until exact routing details have been
submitted for all vehicles to and from the main development site
and temporary construction compound and details of all route
signage (including advanced warning signs at both site accesses)
have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local
planning authority. All agreed signage must be installed prior to
the commencement of any construction operations and deliveries to
either site.
REASON: To ensure that
clear routing is provided for construction vehicles and adequate
warning of the accesses are provided in the interests of highway
safety.
9 No development hereby
permitted shall commence until details of all ground
works/excavation, site clearance, vegetation clearance, boundary
treatment works, and a Construction Environmental Management Plan
(CEMP) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local
planning authority. The CEMP shall provide details of the
avoidance, mitigation and protective measures to be implemented
before and during the construction phase, including but not
necessarily limited to, the following:
The CEMP shall explain
how the construction works will be managed to avoid impacts and how
compliance will be achieved on site. A marked-up plan must be
included showing all protection measures and highlighting sensitive
zones.
The CEMP must identify
a suitably qualified Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) who will
oversee the construction works in relation to ecology with
particular emphasis on:
• Update of
surveys as required prior to start of works where relevant, e.g.
otter, reptiles, breeding birds
• Erection of the
perimeter fence
• Location of the
site compound to avoid all sensitive retained habitat
areas
• Root Protection
Zones for trees
• Protection zones
around trees and hedgerows and a plan showing that all trees and
hedgerows will be fenced off and protected before construction
starts
• Regular,
documented inspections of all buffer zones to check protective
fencing and that these areas are kept clear of all construction
vehicles, machinery and materials
The CEMP shall make
provision for the protection of all wildlife identified as present
or likely to be present within a zone of influence and will
implement the precautionary principle at all
times.
The development shall
be carried out in strict accordance with the approved
CEMP.
REASON: To ensure
adequate protection and mitigation for ecological receptors prior
to and during construction, and that works are undertaken in line
with current best practice and industry standards and are
supervised by a suitably licensed and competent professional
ecological consultant where
applicable.
10 No development
hereby permitted shall commence until details of the bat monitoring
scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local
planning authority. The submitted details must include the
objectives and methods of reporting and the monitoring shall
include:
1. An appropriate
off-site control; and
2. A comparison between
panelled and non-panelled solar farm
areas.
Locations of statics
within the site shall include the locations identified as core bat
habitat in the baseline surveys. Results of the bat monitoring
(once in spring and another autumn) shall be submitted to the local
planning authority within 6 months of the surveys being completed
in years 1, 3, 5, and 10.
REASON: The information submitted within the Biodiversity Management Plan for bat monitoring did not provide sufficient detail and this information is necessary in the interests of protecting bat species.
11 Within three months
of the end of the construction phase of the development hereby
permitted, a compliance report shall be submitted to the local
planning authority. The report shall detail all works overseen by
the ecologist/EcoW and all compliance checks undertaken as detailed
in the CEMP by the aforementioned competent person prior to, during
and post completion of construction works. Associated dates of
visits to the development site shall be stipulated in the
compliance report and photographic evidence shall be
provided.
REASON: To ensure works
are undertaken in strict accordance with an approved CEMP prior to
and during construction, and that works are conducted in line with
current best practice and are supervised by a suitably licensed and
competent professional ecological consultant/ECoW where
necessary.
12 No lighting shall be
installed during the construction phase of the development hereby
permitted unless a detailed lighting plan including exact details
of any proposed lighting and their locations have been submitted to
and approved inviting by the local planning
authority.
REASON: To ensure wildlife corridors are not illuminated.
13 No later than 12
months before the planned decommissioning of the solar farm, a
scheme for decommissioning and the restoration of the site must be
submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning
authority. The scheme shall be based on updated ecological surveys
and must make provision for the removal of the solar arrays and the
associated above-ground structures, equipment, fencing and
foundations, to a depth of at least one metre below ground
level.
The scheme must include
the management and timing of any works; a traffic management plan;
and an environmental management plan including measures for the
protection of wildlife.
REASON: To ensure
adequate protection and mitigation for ecological receptors during
the decommissioning phase and to ensure compliance with legislation
in respect of protected habitats and species, planning policy and
best practice.
14 The development
hereby approved shall be carried out in strict accordance with the
Biodiversity Management Plan (produced by Clarkson & Woods,
dated October 2021) and all of the mitigation and enhancement
measures detailed in Appendix B: Figures; Figure 1: Locations of
Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Features; and Figure 2:
Hibernaculum Specification.
REASON: To ensure
compliance with planning policy and secure the protection and
mitigation for the habitats and species
recorded.
15 The development
hereby approved shall be carried out in strict accordance with the
management and maintenance details set out in the Landscape and
Ecology Management Plan (produced by Pegasus Design, dated February
2022).
REASON: To ensure the
long-term management of landscape and ecological features retained
and created by the development, for the benefit of visual amenity
and biodiversity for the lifetime of the
scheme.
16 The development
hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the surface
water drainage scheme detailed from Section 8 of the Flood Risk
Assessment and Drainage Strategy produced by Clive Onions
Consulting Civil Engineer (reference P19-1958, V1, dated February
2021).
REASON: To ensure that
the development can be adequately
drained.
17 The development
hereby approved shall be carried out in strict accordance with the
Construction Traffic Management Plan (reference P19-1958, produced
by Traffic Planning Associates, dated February
2021).
REASON: In the
interests of highway safety.
18 Notwithstanding the
details set out in the Detailed Planting Plan accompanying the
application, no development shall commence on site until a scheme
of soft landscaping has been submitted to and approved in writing
by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall include
:-
• location and
current canopy spread of all existing trees and hedgerows on the
land;
• full details of
any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in
the course of
development;
• a detailed
planting specification showing all plant species, supply and
planting sizes and
planting
densities;
• finished levels
and contours;
REASON: The matter is
required to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority before
development commences in order that the development is undertaken
in an acceptable manner, to ensure a satisfactory landscaped
setting for the development and the protection of existing
important landscape features.
INFORMATIVE: The
applicant is advised to incorporate native varieties that are
fast-growing. This should include both deciduous and evergreen
varieties.
19 All soft landscaping
comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried
out in the first planting and seeding season following the date on
which any part of the development becomes first operational or the
completion of the development whichever is the sooner; All shrubs,
trees and hedge planting shall be maintained free from weeds and
shall be protected from damage by vermin and stock. Any trees or
plants which, within a period of five years, die, are removed, or
become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next
planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless
otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning
authority.
REASON: To ensure a
satisfactory landscaped setting for the development and the
protection of existing important landscape
features.
20 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 plans shall be in accordance
with the appropriate Environmental Zone standards set out by the
Institution of Lighting Professionals in their publication GN01:21,
‘Guidance Note 1 for the reduction of obtrusive light
2021’ (ILP, 2021), and Guidance Note GN08-18 ‘Bats and
artificial lighting in the UK’, produced by the Bat
Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting
Professionals.
The approved lighting
shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the approved
details and no additional external lighting shall be
installed.
REASON: In the
interests of the amenities of the area in order to minimise
unnecessary light spillage above and outside the development site
and to ensure lighting does not adversely impact
wildlife.
Informatives: (2)
21 During the
construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the
development, all adjacent public rights of way shall remain open
and accessible at all times for members of the
public.
22 As detailed within
the written representation provided by the Canal and River Trust
dated 3 August 2021, the applicant is advised to contact Carl
Ashman, Works Engineer by email at Carl.Ashman@canalrivertrust.org.uk to ensure that the
proposed works comply with the Canal and River Trust’s code
of practice.
Councillor Ernie Clark requested his vote in abstention be recorded.
Supporting documents: