Agenda item

Application for a new substation and associated infrastructure and ancillary works, including a new access road from the A487 and the upgrading of an existing agricultural access track, and new underground 132 kV cables to connect to the existing Electricity Networks overhead line.

LOCAL MEMBERS: Councillor Stephen Churchman and Councillor Rhys Tudur

Link to relevant background documents

DECISION: To approve with conditions subject to receiving positive observations from the Trunk Roads Unit in accordance with the recommendation

1.         5 years.

2.         In accordance with the approved plans.

3.         Footpath conditions.

4.         Public Protection conditions.

5.         Biodiversity conditions.

6.         Trunk Road conditions.

7.         Heneb conditions.

8.         Language conditions

Application for a new sub-station and associated infrastructure and ancillary works, including a new access road from the A487 and the upgrading of an existing agricultural access track, and new underground 132 kV cables to connect to the existing Electricity Networks overhead line; the proposal also included permanent diversion of Public Right of Way Dolbenmaen No. 18 and build a new landowner access track, as well as a temporary construction compound.

Attention was drawn to the late observations form - the applicant to prepare further information to include traffic information and mitigation measures

a)          The Planning Manager highlighted ⁠that the proposal was part of a wider project that encompassed reinforcing overhead lines and cables on the existing circuits between the Pentir and Trawsfynydd substations in north-west Wales. It was explained that the Project was part of the wider network transmission upgrades that were required to facilitate the work of connecting 50 Gigawatt of offshore wind energy by 2030 - increasing the capacity on the current transmission line between Pentir and Trawsfynydd substations which had been noted as a required step to take immediately to provide more transmission capacity. It was elaborated that this had been acknowledged by Ofgem, who noted that the necessary work was an Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI).

It was reported that the site was located on relatively flat ground that mainly consisted of grazing fields, with an area of marshy grassland. It was highlighted that a similar proposal had previously been approved under reference C17/0772/36/LL (and a subsequent permission to extend the period of time to commence the work under C22/1102/36/AC), and this continued to be 'live', but the permission no longer fulfilled the needs of the project.

It was noted, as the proposed work was part of the wider Project, and part of it included the approved re-installation of high voltage electricity cables under the Glaslyn (which was the subject of a separate application), that an Environmental Statement (ES) had been prepared for the entire project. Due to the size of the site, the application was defined as a major development, and a pre-application consultation report was accepted as part of the application.

The proposed work would be an essential element of the Pentir to Trawsfynydd Reinforcement project; the additional capacity would support an effective transfer of renewable energy across the region, contributing to reducing Net Zero targets and carbon. Without the new sub-station and the associated 132 kV infrastructure, this part of the plan would restrict the network and prevent the project objectives from being fulfilled; the proposed development was acceptable in principle and was supported by Local and National Planning Policy.

With the proposal being significant, it was acknowledged that any new infrastructure within a rural location could lead to visual change, however, in this case it was considered that the Impact Assessment on the Landscape and the Visual Impact had highlighted that such a change would not be of a sufficient size to cause significant harm to the character or appearance of the surrounding landscape. Significant emphasis was also given on the clear need for the development which would be part of an energy infrastructure of national importance and would be supported by local and national planning policy objectives related to energy safety and decarbonisation.  

Attention was drawn to the intention to landscape, as well as the fall-back position represented by the current planning permission for a sub-station on the site. That approved plan would lead to a similar level of visual impact, but with a different design and orientation. In this context, the proposed development would not significantly worsen the visual baseline conditions and, from assessing them cumulatively, it was considered that the advantages noted were clearly more that any temporary limited detrimental impacts.

It was acknowledged that the work period for the proposal could impact the amenities of nearby residents, and it was considered that those impacts could be managed effectively by imposing a planning condition to ensure that an Environmental Impact Management Plan was agreed beforehand.

It was noted that the proposal included changing the existing farm entrance from the A487, which was a Trunk Road, to provide suitable means of access for construction traffic. The entrance will then be maintained and used for maintenance purposes.  It was highlighted that the Highways Unit's response asked for more details to assess the suitability of the entrance as it was a different plan to the usual standards. It was elaborated that the applicant was preparing further information to include traffic information and mitigation measures with the intention of submitting their proposal to the panel in June. (A positive response is expected from the Highways Unit following the panel meeting). As a result, the application recommendation to delegate the right to approve with conditions subject to receiving a positive response from the Highways Unit continued as a result to this update.

In the context of matters relating to diverting a footpath, hydrology, biodiversity, archaeology and the Welsh language, it was considered that these matters were acceptable subject to planning conditions. It was considered that the proposal was acceptable and complied with the requirements of national and local policies. It was recommended to delegate the right to approve the application with conditions subject to receiving a positive response from the Highways Unit regarding the entrance.

ch)       The approval of the application was proposed and seconded 

  In response to an observation that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 'plays down' the RCP8.5 presumptions that were planned as the worst possible emissions scenario, and what impact this would have on policies associated with a reliable supply of energy, the Assistant Head of the Department noted that the policies that were relevant to this application complied with local and national policies; there was already an extant permission on the development and that development complied with the relevant policies.

  RESOLVED: Delegate the right to approve with conditions subject to receiving positive observations from the Highways Unit, in accordance with the recommendation⁠

1.         5 years

2.         In accordance with the approved plans

3.         Footpath conditions

4.         Public Protection Conditions

5.         Biodiversity conditions

6.         Trunk Road Conditions

7.         Heneb conditions

8.         Language Conditions