To consider a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding this application.
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a * report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding the above application.
The Area Planning Officer outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation highlighting the site location, access to the site, an aerial photograph identifying the site, the proposed layout of the panels, the panel arrangement, the location and design of the substations and proposed landscaping. She also explained the amendments from the previous application.
Photographs from various locations were presented and she explained that she felt there was no cumulative impact with regard to other sites in the neighbourhood.
Addressing the issue raised at public question time with regard to visual impact, she stated that screening could be conditioned and that the landscape plan could be enhanced.
Consideration was given to:
· The need for renewable energy and effective solar energy
· The visible impact of the proposal in open countryside
· The cumulative impact of the proposal
· The number of solar PV farms in the area
· The quality of the agricultural land
RESOLVED that members were minded to refuse the application and therefore wished to defer the decision to allow for a report to be received setting out the implications for the proposed reasons for refusal based on landscape and visual impact and cumulative impact.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr Mrs C A Collis)
Notes:
(i) Cllrs K I Busch, Mrs C Collis, R J Dolley, J M Downes, S G Flaws, P J Heal, D J Knowles, R F Radford, J L Smith, J D Squire and R L Stanley made declarations in accordance with the Protocol of Good Practice for Councillors dealing in planning matters as they had received correspondence regarding the application;
(ii) Mr Munday (Agent) spoke;
(iii) Mrs Worner spoke on behalf of the objectors;
(iv) A statement by Cllr Mrs Bainbridge (Ward Member) was considered;
(v) Cllr Mrs C A Collis spoke as one of the Ward Members;
(vi) The following late information was reported: 16th October 2015
Burlescombe Parish Council 13th October 2015 – No further comments to make beyond their original objections (contained within the Committee report under the consultations section).
Two additional letters of objection received:
· The application will have a negative effect on the local area due to the loss of agricultural land, cumulative impact and the impact on views from historic buildings;
· Feel the committee report undervalues the special landscape;
· The wrong scheme in the wrong place.
1 further objection summarised as follows:
· The applicant has shown scant regard for screening the site – the planting already carried out is unsuitable due to species and size: trees would need to be 20m+ to screen
· Screening on the boundary of Wiseburrow Farm and Whipcott would alleviate screening issues for residents of the Whipcott area: trees would need to be 4-5m to screen
· The previous application was partly refused on landscaping grounds – the current proposal is no better and should be addressed using the whole ... view the full minutes text for item 71