Agenda and draft minutes

Proposed Development

*4.1     Change of use from agricultural land to solar farm and construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) development with a capacity of up to 49.9MW with associated infrastructure and landscaping at Land North Of Old Head Wood, Grafton Road, Brigstock , Northamptonshire for Dan Ferrier - Scottish Power Renewables

            Application No: 20/00207/FUL

Speaker:

Dan Ferrier attended the meeting and addressed the committee as the applicant for the proposed development. The applicant stated that the application included several mitigation schemes in order to minimise disruption to surrounding residents and also to minimise the visual impact of the development. It was also stated the if approved the proposed development would generate power for 17,000 homes.

Following the speakers comments, members asked several questions of clarification to the applicant

Decision

Members received a report about a proposal for which full planning permission was being sought for the change the use of the site from agricultural land to a solar farm and for the construction of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (‘PV’) arrays to create the solar farm. It was heard that associated infrastructure was also proposed, including housing for inverters, a substation compound as well as fencing, security cameras, cabling and access tracks. The anticipated operational life of the proposal is up to 35 years.

The Planning Officer addressed the committee and provided an update which stated that an additional condition was to be included along with several amendments in order to provide reassurance that the access point can be managed in a safe manner, the applicant suggested that an additional condition was used which requires the submission of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

Members initially raised reservations due to the movement of HGV and construction traffic during the six month construction period that would have a detrimental impact on neighbouring properties.

Members heard that a number of mitigation schemes were included In order to minimise the impact on residents and to maximise safety associated with site access and HGV traffic movements.

Members also recommended that wording be changed within a condition to ensure that the applicant make remedial works to any damage caused by the proposed application.

Following debate, it was proposed by Councillor North and seconded by Councillor Bell that the application be approved in line with the officer’s recommendation.

It was agreed that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions: