Agenda item

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 of neighbouring residents, the proposal was not acceptable.

 

The officers considered that the proposal was unacceptable and failed to fully meet the requirements of the relevant policies and as a result, recommended that the application be refused.

 

b)       Taking advantage of the right to speak, the applicant noted the following observations:

·        That the officer's report did not highlight the proposal's benefits.

·        That it was proposed to install the solar panels on two fields outside Llanbedrog.

·        The site had been carefully chosen to minimise the visual impact.

·        Those who would be affected would be offered help to screen around their dwelling to minimise the impact.

·        Farming will be more sustainable – agricultural land use would continue.

·        The proposal was to offer ecological improvements by strengthening hedges and planting wildflowers in the meadow.

·        That an amount of money had been offered to the local community along with possibilities that would include community contributions and local ownership providing community benefits.

·        The proposal would provide electricity for 1800 homes - Llanbedrog would be net zero.

·        The scheme would provide employment locally – two full-time jobs and the opportunity to set up a community enterprise if there was interest.

·        There was no reference to the Gwynedd Local Area Energy Scheme in the report and the benefits of this proposal's contribution to that scheme.

·        It was understood that change was not easy, but that solar energy was beneficial and cheap.

·        The report did not place enough weight on the proposal's compliance with relevant policies but placed too much weight on the visual impact.

 

c)       Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Local Member made the following comments:

·        That the title of the development as a solar 'farm' was misleading. This was not a traditional farm to rear livestock, preserve land, grow produce and encourage wildlife.

·        That the farmland was high-quality land – the best agricultural land in Llanbedrog.

·        The site was in a wonderful location.

·        Public footpaths abutted the application site.

·        That it touched the AONB – an area of beauty – the proposal was neither beautiful nor natural.

·        That many people locally opposed the application.

·        That Wern Fawr Farm had several listed buildings.

·        A relatively narrow and uncontrolled local road network would cause problems particularly when the main A499 road was closed due to flooding

·        The site was not one of the best for the sun – it was unlikely to generate much electricity.

·        A fence and poles for CCTV would be installed around the site.

·        The Local Member thanked the officers and called on the committee to refuse the application.

 

 ch)   It was proposed and seconded to refuse the application

 

d)       During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by Members:

·        That the use of solar panels on open ground was unacceptable.

·        That this area of the Llŷn Peninsula was one of beauty.

·        Grade 2 listed buildings were close to the site.

·        That the land was good agricultural land.

·        Although it was stated that the site would generate electricity for 1800 homes, this would not be possible all the time – another source of backup electricity would be required – this statement was therefore misleading.

 

         RESOLVED: ⁠TO REFUSE THE APPLICATION

 

         Reason:

 

The proposal was 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 Anglesey and Gwynedd 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.