Issue - meetings

Full application for the installation of a 4.99MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm with associated works including creation of a new vehicular access and access tracks, fencing, landscaping,  install two containerised transformer stations to gather and export electricity created from the site and installation of underground cabling. 

LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Angela Russell

LInk to relevant background documents

DECISION: TO REFUSE

The proposal is unacceptable given the requirements of criterion 1 and criterion 3 of policy ADN 2, as well as the requirements of policies PCYFF 3 and 4 and AMG 2 of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Local Development Plan (2017) and a Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study 2014 as a result of the size and location of the proposal within a Special Landscape Area and its visual impact on the character of the landscape, and that it has a significant harm on the residential visual amenities of nearby residents, specifically the Wern Newydd property.

A full application for the installation of solar panels (PV) to create a 4.99MW solar farm with associated developments, including the creation of a new vehicular access and access tracks, building a fence, landscaping, installing two transformer stations to gather and export electricity generated and installation of underground cables.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form.

a)           The Senior Planning Officer highlighted that the proposed development site was open agricultural land comprising natural hedges along its boundaries and scattered mature trees on and near the site. It was outside any existing development boundary with access obtained from an unclassified public road known as Lôn Pin while a series of public paths crossed adjacent lands; and the site was within the West Llŷn Special Landscape Area and the Llŷn and Enlli Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest designations with the nearest boundary of the Llŷn AONB approximately 1km away from the nearest part of the site of the proposed development.

Attention was drawn to the response to observations  received on the original consultation of the application, highlighting that there was additional and revised information which included information regarding the vehicular access and access tracks, additional information in the form of detailed plans of the frames to hold the solar panels themselves; Green Infrastructure Statement; Language Statement; and responses to comments received from the Archaeological Service, Natural Resources Wales, Coed Cadw, the Community Council and Land Drainage Unit in relation to SUDS matters had been considered.

It was reported that the application was being submitted to the Committee as the area of the proposed development was larger than what could be considered by officers under the delegated procedure.

In accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Control Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 (as amended), it was explained that the development was defined as a "major development" due to the size of the area of the development. In line with the appropriate procedure, a Pre-application Consultation Report was received as part of the application and the developer had advertised the proposal to the public and the statutory consultees before submitting a formal planning application.

It was reported that the proposal had raised considerable concerns locally and it was acknowledged that several letters opposing the proposal had also been received.

It was explained that the principle of this type of development was supported and that adopted policies were supportive of such proposals as long as they fully met all relevant criteria. It was further noted that a pre-application enquiry discussion took place with the applicant with advice given regarding such a development. Attention was drawn to the technical reports submitted by eligible companies regarding aspects of the proposal and likely impact in terms of considerations, visual impact, brightness effects, transport management, etc. Full attention and assessment had been given to the content of all reports and information submitted but as it could not be ensured that the proposal would not cause significant harm to the residential amenities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6