Construction of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (pv) farm with 5mw of capacity on 9.05 ha of agricultural land along with grid connection equipment, access track construction compound, security fence and landscaping improvements.
Local Member: Councillor Aled Ll. Evans
Minutes:
Installation of solar
photovoltaic (PV) farm on the land with a capacity of 5mw on 9.05 ha of
agricultural land, along with ancillary equipment, access track, building
compound, security fence and landscaping improvements.
(a)
The Development
Control Manager elaborated on the background of the application and noted that
the development complied with the Gwynedd Unitary Development Plan (GUDP) along
with Strategic Policy 9 for the provision of renewable energy sources for the
reasons noted in the report.
Correspondence had been
received from the occupiers of nearby houses objecting to the proposal mainly
on the grounds of the impact on the landscape and views from their properties.
Whilst acknowledging that parts of the site was visible from the property, due
to the form of the land, existing vegetation and the distance of the property
from the site, it was not believed that the development would be a dominant
feature for residents and that the impact on the landscape would not be so
harmful as to justify refusing the application.
It was noted that
objections had also been received on the grounds of the development’s impact on
road safety. It was considered that there would only be an increase in traffic
flow during the construction period. It was added that the development was
acceptable in principle by the Transportation Unit but that it noted the need
to reach agreement on a Transport Management Plan prior to the commencement of
the development.
Reference was made to
objections received raising concern regarding the impact of the development on
biodiversity and the presence of protected species in the area. It was noted
that the Biodiversity Unit or Natural Resources Wales did not have any
objections to this aspect of the application, provided that appropriate
mitigation and controlling measures were ensured for the site and the vicinity
to protect the interests of biodiversity features.
·
Taking
advantage of the right to speak, the applicant’s agent noted the following main
points:-
·
That the development
would generate clean, locally generated renewable energy for approximately
1,300 houses;
·
It was intended
to plant additional trees to strengthen existing hedges and plant wildflowers,
install nesting boxes for birds, bats and beehives;
·
That the
installation of the solar panels had been amended in response to an objection;
·
That
grazing use continued on the site;
·
That
the development would provide a stable income for the business and thus
safeguard its future;
·
A
public consultation had been held and 22 feedback forms were used and only
three of these were against the development;
·
He
asked the Committee to approve the application.
(c) It was
reported that the Local Member had no objection to the application.
It was
proposed and seconded to approve the application.
(ch) The following
main points were noted during the discussion:
·
That
the application should be deferred due to the increasing number of solar
development applications, the need to establish an appropriate size for such
developments, considering the importance of tourism for Gwynedd and the impact
on the area’s beauty;
·
That
English councils were refusing such applications that would deform the
landscape;
·
Concern
in terms of the accumulative impact of such developments on the landscape and
the resulting economic impact;
·
That
the development was within the current policies but it was uncomfortable that
there was no Supplementary Planning Guidance. Consequently, the Council should place
a moratorium on applications for solar development in order to understand the
implications and identify the features of the developments;
·
Supportive
of renewable energy developments;
·
The
need to ensure that the mitigation measures in relation to biodiversity were in
place for the lifespan of the development;
·
The
need for Farmers to diversify as their grants were reducing;
·
That
tourism was important to the area but there was a need to reflect on the local
people in order to keep the Welsh language and Welsh culture alive.
(d) In response to the abovementioned observations,
officers noted:-
·
Decisions
were made on applications in accordance with current policies. It was noted that
Gillespies had recently been commissioned to assess the sensitivity and
capacity of the landscape to cope with specific types of development;
·
That
there was no evidence to justify refusing based on tourism;
·
That
the service had been mapping solar farm developments along with domestic
developments across Gwynedd. The existing picture would be considered when the
accumulative impact of solar panels was considered in regards to the
landscape’s capacity to cope with further developments;
·
A
Biodiversity Plan had been submitted as part of the application and a condition
was recommended noting that the development would be completed in accordance
with the plan.
RESOLVED to approve the application.
Conditions:
1. Commencement
date of the development.
2. To complete
the development in accordance with the plans.
3. The panels
must be located in the locations shown on the plans or as agreed in writing
with the Local Planning Authority.
4. 30 year
permission; method statement to clear the site and restore the land.
5. To agree on
materials/ colour of the frames and anti-glare cover.
6. To agree on
materials/ colour of the fence and camera poles.
7. To agree on
and complete a landscaping plan and a landscaping management plan.
8. To agree on
and implement an Archaeological Work Programme.
9. Any
electrical cables emanating from the development to the electrical connection
should be installed underground.
10. To agree on any
site lighting systems.
11. Highways
Condition – Transport Management Plans.
12. To complete the
development in accordance with the biodiversity management plan and monitoring
plan.
13. To agree and
implement an Environmental Building Management Plan.
14. No vegetation
clearing work to be undertaken over the bird nesting season.
15. To agree on
the external materials of all buildings.
Supporting documents: