Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillor L Lawman and Councillor S North.  Councillor K Harrison did not attend.  

It was noted that Councillors Ekins and Maxwell were present as substitutes for Councillors Lawman and North. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2023 be approved as a correct record with the addition of the words ‘Police. Fire and Crime Commissioner, to the resolution of NE/22/00851/OUT. 

The chair invited those who wished to do so, to declare any interests in response of the item on the agenda. No declarations were made.

Informal site visits had been undertaken by Councillor Irwin and Jackson.  It was also noted that ward councillors had previously visited the site on many occasions.

Resolved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the report, along with the additional condition as detailed below:

Noise Monitoring and Mitigation

Prior to the development. hereby approved, being brought into use a noise monitoring and mitigation scheme shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme shall identify a methodology for the monitoring of noise impacts from the access road as measured from the first floor level of the residential properties at The Crescent, Chelston Rise which face the development or with reference to an agreed surrogate monitoring location that by calculation or modelling predicts/reflects noise levels at first floor level. Should monitored noise levels exceed acceptable levels, agreed by the Local Planning Authority, within the first floor accommodation of the identified properties, a scheme of mitigation shall be submitted for approval by the Local Planning Authority.  The scheme shall identify a suitable time period for the implementation of any identified mitigation measures, and shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and any physical measures shall be retained in the agreed manner in perpetuity.

The committee considered an application for planning permission, for the replacement and improvements to existing site access with a new site access road and gatehouse at the Chelveston Energy Innovation Park.

Planning Consultant, Paul Bland presented the report to committee, which detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal, providing full and comprehensive details.

He also referenced the proposed conditions within the repot and in liaison with Environmental Protection suggested an additional condition for the consideration of the committee as follows:

Additional Condition – Noise Monitoring and Mitigation

Prior to the development hereby approved being brought into use, a noise monitoring and mitigation scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The scheme shall identify a methodology for the monitoring of noise impacts from the access road as measured from the first-floor level of the residential properties at The Crescent, Chelveston Rise, which face the development or with reference to an agreed surrogate monitoring location that by calculation or modelling predicts/reflects noise levels at first floor level.  Should monitored noise levels exceed acceptable levels agreed by the local planning authority within the first-floor accommodation of the identified properties a scheme of mitigation shall be submitted for approval by the local planning authority. The scheme shall identify a suitable time period for the implementation of any identified mitigation measures and shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and any physical measures shall be retained in the agreed manner in perpetuity. 

Reason:  In the interests of residential amenity in accordance with Policy 8 of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy 2016.

Three requests had been made to address the committee, which the chair had agreed to.

Mr Collick and Mr Cuthbert addressed the meeting with their concerns and objections over the proposed access raising concerns over the additional traffic, potential congestion and ‘backing up’ to the A45 junction and the impact this would have along with the noise and light invasion to nearby residential properties.  

Mr Taylor of Federal Estates Ltd, the applicant, spoke in favour of the application and addressed the concerns raised and the mitigation that would be put in place.

The chair thanked the speakers and invited members to ask any questions for the purpose of clarity.

Members asked about the aesthetics and the screening that was proposed, and how the lorries would physically access the site to avoid ‘backing up’ affecting access to the village and how this would be prevented.

These were responded to with an explanation of how the site gatehouse would be located some distance into the access road and that there would be enough room for several vehicles to enter and avoid blocking the road into the village. Appropriate trees would be planted to screen the site, and this would also help with any light emanating from the site.

The chair invited the committee to determine the application.

During the debate, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

There were no exempt items.

The chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.25pm.