Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking approval to publish the draft Landscape Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for public consultation.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration seeking approval to publish the draft Landscape Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the Landscape Implications of Solar Energy Proposals (SPD) provided guidance on key landscape issues associated with solar photovoltaic (PV) developments.  It gave guidance on the relative landscape sensitivities of different areas within Mid Devon to solar developments and provided advice with regard to the good siting and design of solar PV schemes including guidance on how potential impacts could be minimised.

This latest public consultation version of the draft SPD document followed on from previous extensive work undertaken with respect to landscape sensitivity.  A Landscape Sensitivity Assessment was initially commissioned in response to concern from Members regarding the lack of consistent landscape related advice available to inform planning decisions. Previously consultants had been commissioned on a case-by-case basis to advise on landscape sensitivity in a particular location.  Land Use Consulting (LUC) was commissioned to prepare districtwide evidence based on Mid Devon’s own published Landscape Character Assessment.  The methodology used by LUC drew on its extensive experience of preparing such studies, including one for Torridge District Council, and the study buillt on the Devon Landscape Policy Group’s Advice Note 2 on accommodating solar PV developments in Devon’s landscape.

A scoping consultation was undertaken in July 2014.  The results of this consultation informed the latest draft SPD.  A total of 13 valid representations were received and had been considered when producing the draft landscape SPD.  

In accordance with Policy SCI/14 of the Statement of Community Involvement, a second phase of consultation was now proposed to be undertaken.  There had been a significant delay in reaching this stage in the process owing largely to changes in national planning policy which had resulted in this latest version of the SPD relating solely to solar energy rather than including other sources of renewable energy.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The need for all references to wind to be removed from the document;

·         Consultation would involve advertisements, press releases and the website.  Officers were happy to attend parish meetings if requested;

·         The document would need to refer to the adopted Local Plan policies rather than the emerging plan, due to timescales.

RESOLVED that:

a.    The draft Landscape Implications of Solar Energy Proposals Supplementary PlanningDocument be submitted for public consultation.

b.    Delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration to finalise consultation material.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.