Issue - meetings

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 23/01361/FULMAJ in respect of the proposed installation and operation of a solar farm with ancillary equipment including inverter and substation house, security cameras, deer fence, new highway access and landscaping scheme.

2.      Mr Jake Brown, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main report.

3.      The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Highways Development Control Team Leader, if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard reported that Highways Officers were satisfied with the proposed access to the site. He confirmed the additional traffic movements that were anticipated both during the construction phase and post construction.

4.      In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Sam Dibas, Parish Council representative, Mr John Lynes, Mr Tom Jones and Mr Stuart Gregory, objectors, and Ms Jane Grindy, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

5.      Mr Dibas addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed on the meeting recording: https://youtu.be/OsOxHdwIxBU?t=1839

Member Questions to the Parish Council

6.      Members asked questions of clarification of the Parish Councillor and received the following responses:

·       There would be the opportunity for the local community to invest in solar energy.

·       The current usage of the land was for allotments and some grazing. Residents had not raised any concern with regards to the proposed loss of allotment land.

·       The Parish Council had engaged with the local community on this proposal. Positive responses had been received to the resident survey. Residents were invited to public meetings and given the opportunity to ask questions.

·       Some of the Members of Enborne Parish Council were Trustees of the land and a potential conflict of interest was queried. Mr Dibas advised that the process had been fully transparent with public meetings and publicly available documentation. Mr Dibas had personally declared an interest as both a Trustee and Member of the Parish Council.

Objector Representation

7.      Mr Lynes, Mr Jones and Mr Gregory addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed on the meeting recording: https://youtu.be/OsOxHdwIxBU?t=2367

Member Questions to the Objector

8.      Members asked questions of clarification of the objectors and received the following responses:

·       The land had been used for allotments, but this had not been the case for some time.

·       The potentially high cost of decommissioning the site when the time came was of concern. It had not been made clear whether this cost would be met by the developer.

·       The proposal could be more palatable if flood alleviation conditions could be secured, but this would depend on the wording of the conditions.

·       It was confirmed that flooding continued on some areas of the site. For example, the ditch between Spring Gardens and the field  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3