Agenda item

To consider the report of the Service Lead City Development.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (HS) presented the application for solar panel array and battery storage, relocation of green waste facility and ground levelling with associated access, fencing, hardstandings and ancillary works.

During discussion the following points were raised:-

·         a suitable location for a facility of this nature supplying cheap electricity to fuel electric vehicles and contributing to the goal of carbon neutrality and reducing air pollution;

·         ecological survey confirms that the species to be removed are of low quality; and

·         facility will be fenced and covered by Close Circuit Television.

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

The recommendation was moved and seconded.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a solar panel array and battery storage, relocation of green waste facility, and ground levelling with associated access, fencing, hard-standings and ancillary works be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

1)         The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of five years beginning with the date on which this permission is granted

Reason: To ensure compliance with sections 91 and 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2)         The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise than in strict accordance with the submitted details received by the Local Planning Authority on 9th and 10th September 2019 and the revised planning statement received 9th October 2019 as modified by other conditions of this consent.

Reason In order to ensure compliance with the approved drawings.

3)         Prior to the installation of any solar panels, supporting structures, batteries or associated apparatus a detailed levels survey of the site shall be undertaken and plans showing the existing and proposed levels of the land on the site  shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To safeguard the rights of control by the Local Planning Authority in respect of the reserved matters.

4)         Notwithstanding condition no 2, no work shall commence on site under this permission until full details of the following have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the following shall thereafter be provided in accordance with such details:

            a) Fencing

            b) Supporting Structures for Solar Panels

            c) Water Lane vehicular access details

Reason: Insufficient information has been submitted with the application and in the interests of visual amenity.

5)    A detailed scheme for landscaping, including the planting of trees and or shrubs, the use of surface materials and boundary screen walls and fences shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority and no dwelling or building shall be occupied until the Local Planning Authority have approved a scheme;  such scheme shall specify materials, species, tree and plant sizes, numbers and planting densities, and any earthworks required together with the timing of the implementation of the scheme.  The landscaping shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved scheme in accordance with the agreed programme.

Reason: To safeguard the rights of control by the Local Planning Authority in these respects and in the interests of amenity..

6)         Pre-commencement condition: No materials shall be brought onto the site or any development commenced, until the developer has erected tree protective fencing around all trees or shrubs to be retained, in accordance with a plan that shall previously have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This plan shall be produced in accordance with BS 5837:2012 - Trees in Relation to Design, demolition and construction. The developer shall maintain such fences to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority until all development the subject of this permission is completed. The level of the land within the fenced areas shall not be altered without the prior written consent of the Local Planning Authority. No materials shall be stored within the fenced area, nor shall trenches for service runs or any other excavations take place within the fenced area except by written permission of the Local Planning Authority. Where such permission is granted, soil shall be removed manually, without powered equipment.

Reason for pre-commencement condition - To ensure the protection of the trees during the carrying out of the development. This information is required before development commences to protect trees during all stages of the construction process.

7)         No development (including ground works or demolition) or vegetation clearance works shall take place until a Construction Method Statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Statement shall provide for:

a)         The site access point(s) of all vehicles to the site during the construction phase.

b)         The parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors.

c)         The areas for loading and unloading plant and materials.

d)         Storage areas of plant and materials used in constructing the development.

e)         The erection and maintenance of securing hoarding, if appropriate.

f)          Wheel washing facilities.

g)         Measures to control the emission of dust and dirt during construction.

h)         No burning on site during construction or site preparation works.

i)          Measures to minimise noise and vibration nuisance to neighbours from plant and machinery.

j)          Construction working hours and deliveries from 8:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays and at no time on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

The approved Statement shall be strictly adhered to throughout the construction period of the development.

Reason: In the interests of protecting the environment and amenity of the area.

8)    Vehicular access to the site to access the uses hereby approved shall be from Water Lane only.

Reason: In the interests of highway safety

9)         Prior to commencement of construction the applicant shall submit a noise impact assessment, including recommendations for the mitigation of any significant adverse noise impact. The agreed measures shall subsequently be implemented on site.

Reason: In the interests of protecting the amenity of the area.

10)       No development shall take place on site until a full investigation of the site has taken place to determine the extent of, and risk posed by, any contamination of the land and the results, together with any remedial works necessary, have been agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The building(s) shall not be occupied until the approved remedial works have been implemented and a remediation statement submitted to the Local Planning Authority detailing what contamination has been found and how it has been dealt with together with confirmation that no unacceptable risks remain.

Reason: In the interests of human health and environmental protection.

11)       Prior to the development hereby permitted being brought into use, a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The content of the LEMP shall be prepared in accordance with the submitted Ecological Appraisal and specifications in clause 11.1 of BS 42020:2013 (or any superseding British Standard) and shall include the following:

a)         Description and evaluation of features to be managed.

b)         Ecological trends and constraints on site that might influence management.

c)         Aims and objectives of management.

d)         Appropriate management options for achieving aims and objectives.

e)         Prescriptions for management actions.

f)          Preparation of a work schedule (including an annual work plan capable of being rolled forward over a five year period).

g)         Details of the body or organisation responsible for implementation of the plan.

h)         On-going monitoring and remedial measures for biodiversity features included in the LEMP.

The LEMP shall also include details of the legal and funding mechanism(s) by which the long-term implementation of the plan will be secured by the developer with the management body(s) responsible for its delivery.

All post-construction site management shall be undertaken in accordance with the LEMP.

Reason: In the interests of biodiversity and good design in accordance with Policy CP16 of the Core Strategy, Policies LS4 and DG1 of the Local Plan First Review and paragraphs 58, 109 and 118 of the NPPF.