Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/17/038

Planning Application - Variation of Condition (2) of DC/16/1098/HH to enable re-orientation of the solar panels for the (i) conversion of open fronted car port (attached to converted outbuilding) into guest accommodation (ii) relocation of solar panels from the existing outbuilding to be floor mounted (iii) detached cart lodge (amended)

Planning Application - Variation of Condition (2) of DC/16/1098/HH to enable re-orientation of the solar panels for the (i) conversion of open fronted car port (attached to converted outbuilding) into guest accommodation (ii) relocation of solar panels from the existing outbuilding to be floor mounted (iii) detached cart lodge (amended)

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee following consideration by the Delegation Panel and because the Parish Council did not object to the proposal, which was contrary to the Officer’s recommendation of refusal, for the reasons set out in Paragraph 31 of Report No DEV/SE/17/038.

The Planning Officer drew attention to Paragraph 28 of the report which outlined efficiency information in respect of the solar panels.  In light of which, Officers considered the reorientation of the panels to only result in a marginal benefit and were therefore recommending refusal of the application; as the harm caused by the proposal would outweigh the benefit.

Speakers:    Ian Wilkinson (neighbour) spoke against the application

Councillor Andrew Smith (Bardwell Parish Council) spoke in support of the application*

David Tomlinson (applicant) spoke in support of the application

(*Whilst speaking as a member of and on behalf of the Parish Council, Councillor Smith clarified that when the Parish Council considered the application in question he personally abstained from the vote and stressed that he would maintain an open mind when considering the item.)

During his address to the meeting Councillor Smith had requested, on behalf of the Parish Council, that screening options be explored with the applicant to help mitigate the impact of the solar panel’s re-siting.

Councillor David Roach spoke in support of the screening suggestion and questioned the degree of harm that would be caused by the panel’s re-orientation, he moved that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation, and this was duly seconded by Councillor Carol Bull.

In response to a number of questions/comments with regard to the Officer’s perception of ‘harm’ the Principal Conservation Officer addressed the meeting and provided additional explanation.

Councillor Terry Clements moved an amendment that the application be deferred in order to allow time for a Member site visit to be undertaken and for Officers to investigate appropriate screening options.  However, this motion failed to be seconded.

The Chairman, therefore, put the motion for approval to the vote and with 8 voting for, 4 against and with 1 abstention it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, contrary to the Officer recommendation, for the following reason:

·         The degree of harm was not considered to be significant when compared to the previously approved scheme

And subject to the following conditions:

1.   Original time limit

The development to which this permission relates must be commenced not later than 12.01.2020.

2.   Approved plans

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and documents.

3.   Screening details

Before the installation of the solar panels hereby approved details of soft landscaping screening shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The details shall include a planting plan; schedules of plants noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/ densities. The approved scheme shall be implemented not later than the first planting season following the installation of the solar panels (or within such extended period as may first be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority). Any planting removed, dying or becoming seriously damaged or diseased within five years of planting shall be replaced within the first available planting season thereafter with planting of similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent for any variation.

4.   Removal of PV panels

The Solar Panels shall be removed within 3 month of the cessation of their use and the land shall be, as far as is reasonably practicable, restored to its condition before the development took place, or to such a condition as has been agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

5.   Parking prior to first use

The use shall not commence until the area(s) within the site shown on Drawing No 3646-06B for the purposes of [LOADING, UNLOADING,] manoeuvring and parking of vehicles has been provided and thereafter that area(s) shall be retained and used for no other purposes.

6.   Materials

The development shall be carried out in full accordance with the details approved under DCON(A)/16/1098 unless otherwise subsequently approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Informative:

This planning permission does not grant consent for any works to the curtilage listed building. Any works required to the listed building in association with the installation or subsequent removal of the solar panels, such as a connection to the electricity supply, may require Listed Building Consent. The applicant is advised to provide the Council with details of such work before it is carried out.