Erection of a wind turbine, 24.8m to hub and 36.6m to blade tip and the installation of a control box and associated works.
Local Member: Councillor Owain Williams
Minutes:
Erection of a wind turbine, 24.8m to the
hub and 36.6m to blade tip and the installation of a control box and associated
works.
Members of the
Committee had visited the site prior to the meeting.
(a) The Development Control Officer expanded on the application’s
background and noted that the proposal was to erect an 85kw wind turbine with a
cabin to store associated machinery near the base together with grid
connections. A new access would be
created which would lead to the turbine from the existing quarry access track.
It was added that the turbine would be on a small plateau in a field which was
used as grazing land and was previous part of the Graianog
quarry, between the existing working quarry and the storage / processing
yard. Apart from the quarry, the site
was a rolling agricultural landscape which gradually rises in the direction of Bwlch Mawr and the Snowdonia
National Park which was approximately 2km to the east.
(b) It
was highlighted that the National Park noted concern regarding the cumulative
impact of developments with vertical elements in this area that would cause
significant harm to views in and out of the National Park (and in the same
manner with the Llŷn AONB and the Settings of
Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the area and on the historic landscape of Dyffryn Nantlle). In response, it
was noted that a recent assessment stated that the landscape could cope with
this development and the impact of the turbine did not cause significant harm. It was
noted that the human impact was evident in the landscape and that the
development would not have a significant negative impact on the landscape in
general.
(c) Taking advantage of the
right to speak, the applicant noted the following main points:-
·
He had a young
family and they had to take a chance with this venture for their future.
·
The turbine was
important in terms of the sustainability elements.
·
An access track
already existed.
·
It was possible
to collaborate with Gwyriad nearby.
·
That local and
national policies promoted such developments.
·
That the siting
of the turbine would be in a hidden location in order to reduce the visual
impact and Natural Resources Wales had stated that the impact would be limited
due to the undulating landscape.
·
The Nebo mast and
electricity pylons were nearby – the turbine was a great deal smaller in size.
·
A number of
letters had been received that supported the application.
·
Approving the application
would ensure the viability of the family farm.
(ch) The local member (not a member of this Planning
Committee) made the following main points:
·
That the
turbine’s height was substantial
·
The turbine would
cause a visual impact on the AONB and the nearby National Park
·
The size of the
turbine would create an impact on the nearby Bryn Derwin
historical site.
It was proposed and
seconded to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation.
(d) During the
discussion, the following main observations were made:
·
That several
other vertical structures existed in the area and therefore the turbine would
not stand on its own.
·
The turbine would
ensure viability.
·
That this was a
means for a young family to diversify.
·
Strengthening the
culture and the language in the rural area.
In response to a
question regarding anemometer tests, it was noted that there was no requirement
to have this information with a planning application for a turbine. This was an application for a 36.6m turbine to the tip of the blades
and this was what needed to be considered. Regarding community benefits and financial
contributions, the Senior Solicitor stressed that a financial contribution was
not part of the planning procedure.
A request was made for a recorded vote and this was
supported.
In
accordance with the Procedural Rules, the following vote to approve the application was a recorded:
In
favour of the proposal to approve the application, (11) Councillors: Endaf
Cooke, Elwyn Edwards, Gwen Griffith, Anne T. Lloyd Jones, Dyfrig Wynn Jones,
June Marshall, Tudor Owen, John Pughe
Roberts, Eirwyn Williams, Hefin Williams and Eurig Wyn.
Against
the proposal to approve the application,
(2) Councillors: Seimon Glyn and Gruffydd Williams
Abstaining, (1)
Councillor Michael Sol Owen
RESOLVED
to approve the application.
Conditions
1.
Commence work within two years.
2.
Permission for a period of 25 years
3.
In accordance with the plans.
4.
Turbine to be grey in colour and the control unit to
be in
keeping
5.
Noise.
6.
Decommissioning.
7.
Agree details and appearance of any
equipment/machinery
on the site
8.
Underground cables
Supporting documents: