Minutes:
20.1 Item 7C
Application DC/21/05468
Proposal Full Planning Application - Construction and operation of a 100MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and related infrastructure with associated access, landscaping, and drainage.
Site Location Land To The South Of, Bullen Lane, Bramford, Suffolk IP8 4JD
Applicant Bramford Power Ltd
20.2 A short break was taken before the commencement of application number DC/21/05468 between 10:31am and 10:40am.
20.3 Councillor Caston declared himself as the Ward Member for this application and confirmed that he would not debate or vote on the item.
20.4 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including the location of the site, the constraints of the site, the proposed landscaping on the site, potential ecological impacts, the proposed layout plan, the proposed elevations of the units, the cumulative impact on renewable energy schemes within the area, access to the site, and the Officer recommendation for approval.
20.5 The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the impacts on the adjacent field, the potential for water contamination on site, the fire risk of the equipment used and the fire safety strategy.
20.6 Members considered the representation from Bramford Parish Council’s Clerk.
20.7 Members considered the representation from an Objector.
20.8 The Objector responded to questions from Members on issues including: the proximity of his street to the proposed development site, and the potential noise impact.
20.9 Members considered the representation from the Agent.
20.10 The Agent responded to questions from Members on issues including: the fire safety strategy, the connectivity of the site to the nearby sub-station, the intended timescale for construction, lighting provisions, the strategy for removing equipment from the site at its end of life, the source of electricity for the site, and whether alternate sites were considered for this development.
20.11 Members considered the representation from Councillor James Caston who spoke as the Ward Member.
20.12 The Ward Member responded to questions from Members on issues including: the suitability of the proposed site for potential agricultural purposes, and the current use of the land.
20.13 Members debated the application on issues including: the fire risk on the site, the potential for water contamination, the demand for batteries, the potential use of the land for agricultural purposes, the ecological and environmental impact, the proposed landscaping, and the potential noise impact of the site.
20.14 Councillor Dave Muller proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer recommendation with an additional condition for a scheme to be put together for fire water provision.
20.15 Councillor Rowland Warboys seconded the proposal.
By a vote of 4 For and 1 Abstention
It was RESOLVED:
That authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions as summarised below and those as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:
• Standard time limit
• Temp PP 40 years plus removal and reinstatement if operation ceases for a period of 6 months or at the end of the 40 year life. Reinstatement scheme to be agreed including biodiversity review, mitigation and details of retained landscape planting
• Approved Plans (Plans submitted that form this application)
• Access improvement works
• Access surface material details
• Archaeology
• Carry out in accordance with arboricultural report
• Cary out in accordance with ecological assessment
• CEMP
• Construction management plan including deliveries, vehicle routing and working hours
• Dormouse survey
• Fire safety strategy
• Landscape planting and management scheme
• LEMP
• No burning of waste on site
• Noise assessment
• Visibility splays
• Wildlife sensitive lighting scheme to incorporate light pollution prevention design
• Carry out in accordance with surface water drainage strategy
• Submission of surface water drainage verification report
With the additional condition:
• That a scheme for fire water provision be put together
And the following informative notes as summarised and those as may be deemed necessary:
• Proactive working statement
• SCC Highways note
Supporting documents: