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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS Minutes: 81.1 There were no apologies for absence. |
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TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND OTHER REGISTRABLE OR NON REGISTRABLE INTERESTS BY MEMBERS Minutes: 82.1 There were no declarations of interest declared. |
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DECLARATIONS OF LOBBYING Minutes: 83.1 All Members of the Committee declared that they had been lobbied in respect of application numbers DC/20/05895 and DC/22/04021. |
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DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL SITE VISITS Minutes: 84.1 None declared. |
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NA/22/17 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 JANUARY 2023 PDF 96 KB Minutes: 85.1 The Governance Officer confirmed that paragraph 75.1 of the minutes had been corrected to include the representation from Councillor Mansel in respect of application number DC/22/04002.
It was RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2023 were confirmed and signed as a true record.
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: 86.1 None received. |
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NA/22/18 SCHEDULE OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS PDF 29 KB Note: The Chairman may change the listed order of items to accommodate visiting Ward Members and members of the public.
Minutes: 87.1 In accordance with the Councils procedures for public speaking on planning applications, representations were made as follows:
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Additional documents:
Minutes: 88.1 Item 7A
Application DC/20/05895 Proposal Full Planning Application - Installation of renewable energy generating station, comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and battery-based electricity storage containers together with substation, inverter/transformer stations, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements including nature areas. Site Location Land to the South of Church Farm, Somersham, IP8 4PN and Land to the East of The Channel, Burstall, IP8 4JL Applicant Bramford Green Limited
88.2 The Case Officer introduced the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including the location of the site, the site constraints, the agricultural land classification of the site, the special landscape area plan, the cumulative impact assessment of the surrounding schemes, the existing public rights of way and access to the site, the proposed site plan including the battery storage area, the proposed ecology enhancement plan, the elevations and height of the panels, battery storage containers and control room buildings, the equivalent energy usage generated by the site, and highway safety issues including construction traffic.
88.3 The Case Officer and the Chief Planning Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the benefits of the proposal, the context of the decision made by Babergh District Council Planning Committee at their meeting on 08 February 2022 in relation to the decision being made today, the special landscape are and the landscape mitigation plan, the cumulative effect of the surrounding schemes, the reinstatement plan for the land following completion of the contract, the land within Mid Suffolk which is designated as special landscape area, the battery storage units including fire safety, the proposed S106 agreement, and suitable sites in the surrounding area.
88.4 Members considered the representation from Caroline Wolton who spoke on behalf of Bramford Parish Council.
88.5 Members considered the representation from Nicholas Carter who spoke on behalf of Flowton Parish Council.
88.6 Members considered the representation from James Rook who spoke on behalf of Somersham Parish Council.
88.7 The Somersham Parish Council representative responded to questions from Members regarding whether the site could be used for both solar energy generation and livestock farming.
88.8 Members considered the representation from Samantha Main who spoke as an Objector.
88.9 Members considered the representation from John Cousins who spoke as a Supporter.
88.10 The Supporter responded to questions from Members on issues including the viability of solar farms and the future agricultural use of the land.
88.11 Members considered the representation from Simon Chamberlayne who spoke as the Applicant.
88.12 The Applicant responded to questions from Members on issues including the reasons for the change to rotating panels from static panels and how this effects the efficiency of the panels.
88.13 Members considered the representation from Councillor John Field who spoke as the Ward Member.
88.14 A break was taken from 10:56am until 11:07am.
88.15 The Chief Planning Officer provided details to Members of the special landscape areas within the district, and updated Members on contents of the tabled papers ... view the full minutes text for item 88.
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DC/22/04021 LAND AT THE LEYS AND IVY FARM, MELLIS ROAD, YAXLEY, SUFFOLK, IP21 4BT PDF 234 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: 89.1 Item 7B
Application DC/22/04021 Proposal Full Planning Application - Construction and operation of Synchronous Condensers with ancillary infrastructure, and associated works including access and landscaping. Site Location Land at The Leys and Ivy Farm, Mellis Road, Yaxley, Suffolk, IP21 4BT Applicant Conrad Energy Ltd
89.2 The case officer presented the application to the committee outlining the proposals before members including: the purpose and use of synchronised condensers, the location of the site, the site constraints, the proposed layout of the site, the proposed elevations of the various elements of the proposal, the landscape mitigation plan, the landscape designations and constraints in the area, the access to the site, and the officer recommendation of approval.
89.3 The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the reason for the proposal being located at this site and the connection Yaxley substation, the noise assessment, landscaping, the planning history at the site, and whether any work had commenced at the site.
89.4 Members considered the representation from Philip Freeman who spoke on behalf of Yaxley Parish Council.
89.5 The Planning Lawyer responded to comments from the Parish Council Representative regarding their request to suspend the meeting, and advised Members that the correct legal procedures had been followed.
89.6 The Parish Council Representative responded to questions from Members regarding the recent Freedom of Information request submitted by them to Mid Suffolk District Council.
89.7 The Case Officer provided Members with further details regarding the noise assessment and comparison levels.
89.8 The Parish Council Representative responded to further questions from Members regarding the response from the flood consultant.
89.9 Members considered the representation from Jonathan Cooper who spoke as the Applicant.
89.10 The Applicant responded to questions from Members on issues including whether any alternative sites had been considered, when the contract with the landowner would commence, and whether the location had any impact on the effectiveness of the proposal. 89.11 The Case Officer responded to questions from Members regarding the potential flood issues and the attenuation basin.
89.12 The Applicant responded to further questions from Members regarding the potential noise issues.
89.13 Members considered the representation from Councillor David Burn who spoke as the Ward Member.
89.14 Members debated the application on issues including: the location of the site, and the need for renewable energy.
89.15 Councillor Humphreys MBE proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the officer recommendation.
89.16 Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the size of the building and the impact of the visual amenity of the area, and the adequacy of the noise conditions.
89.17 The Environmental Health Officer provided clarification to Members regarding the noise assessment and the conditions to be applied.
89.18 Councillor Meyer seconded the proposal.
89.19 Members debated the application further on issues including: the fact that the proposal is not located close to any residential areas, the lack of information, concerns over noise, and landscaping.
By a vote of 4 votes for and 4 votes against, leading ... view the full minutes text for item 89.
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SITE INSPECTION |