Agenda item

APPLICATION NO.

20/01106/VARN

APPLICATION TYPE

VARIATION OF CONDITIONS - NORTH

REGISTERED

26.05.2020

APPLICANT

Lightsource BP

SITE

Solar Array, Lains Farm, Cholderton Road, AMPORT

PROPOSAL

Variation of Condition 1 (Time limit) of Planning Permission 17/02481/VARN - (Installation of 5MW ground mounted photovoltaic solar arrays with transformer stations; internal access track; biodiversity enhancement; landscaping; stock fencing; security measures; access gate; and ancillary infrastructure)

AMENDMENTS

Supporting information – 24.06.2020

CASE OFFICER

Mr Luke Benjamin

PERMISSION subject to the following conditions, notes and the prior completion of a Deed of Variation to the section 106 agreement secured under planning permission reference 17/02481/VARN to secure traffic routing:

1.

This permission shall be for a period of 40 years from the date that the development is first connected to the grid (the "First Export Date").

The development shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition no later than the date 40 years from the First Export Date (24.03.2016) or within six months of the development failing to generate electricity for 12 consecutive months, whichever occurs first. All structures and materials, and any associated goods and chattels shall be removed from the site and the land shall be restored to its former condition in accordance with a scheme of decommissioning work and land restoration that shall have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

Reason:  In order that the land is restored to its original condition following the expiry of the period of time whereby electricity is likely to be generated by the proposed development and for which a countryside location has been shown to be essentially required, in accordance with policies COM2 and E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

2.

The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans, numbers SK02B, COMPOUND, BRS.5141_11-C, V10, PV-0154-01, SOL-023, SOL-55 Rev D01, SOL-56 Rev D01, SOL-57 Rev D01 PV-0154-02 V5, PV-0154-03 V8, PV-0154-04 V3, PV-0154-04 V9, PV-0154-06 V2

Reason:  For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of proper planning.

3.

The external surfaces of the substation and inverter station structures shall be finished in a matt dark green finish. The structures shall thereafter be maintained and retained in this colour.

Reason:  To ensure the development has a satisfactory external appearance in the interest of visual amenity in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policy E1.

4.

No tree or hedge within and adjacent to the boundary of the application site shall be removed other than those identified on drawing number BRS.5141_17-B submitted as part of the Arboricultural Survey, Impact Assessment and Tree Protection Plan by TechArborA dated 4th February 2015 and on drawing SK02 B.  All other trees and hedges within and adjacent to the boundary of the application site shall be retained for the duration of the planning permission or until the site is decommissioned, whichever is the sooner.

Reason:  To safeguard the existing trees and to improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of the development, and to assist in the development successfully integrating with the landscape, in the interest of visual amenity, and to contribute to the character of the local area in accordance with policies E1 and E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

5.

All soft landscaping shall be implemented in full in accordance with the approved drawing BRS.5141_11_C and in accordance with the planting/seeding programmes set out in the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan V2.0 by Michael Woods Associates received 16th July 2015. The landscaping shall thereafter be managed in accordance with the specification set out on that plan. Any plant or tree that dies, becomes diseased, damaged or is otherwise removed within the first 5 years from the First Export Date shall be replaced within the next planting season with a plant or tree of the same species and size or another species that has first been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of the development, and to assist in the development successfully integrating with the landscape, in the interest of visual amenity, and to contribute to the character of the local area in accordance with policies E1 and E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 and to ensure that appropriate biodiversity enhancements are incorporated into the development, in accordance with policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

6.

The passing place approved under condition 9 (drawing SP02) shall be provided and maintained as such at all times.

Reason:  Passing provision is required to ensure construction vehicles do not wait on the highway in the interest of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policy T1.

7.

Visibility splays shall be provided and maintained in accordance with drawing SK02 B.  Within these visibility splays notwithstanding the provisions of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order) no obstacles, including walls, fences and vegetation, shall exceed the height of 1 metre above the level of the existing carriageway at any time. The visibility splays shall thereafter be maintained as such at all times.

Reason:  In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policy T1.

8.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the Construction Traffic Management Plan Revision D dated May 2015 by Transport Planning Associates. The construction compound shall be contained within the area shown on drawing PV-0154-01 V10.

Reason:  In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policy T1.

9.

Notwithstanding the terms of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, no lighting shall be installed at the site unless in accordance with details that have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the area in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policies LHW4, and E8, to ensure that no harm is caused to protected species or their habitats, and the biodiversity interests of the site in accordance with policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

10.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations and mitigation measures set out in the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan by Michael Woods Assessment dated December 2014.

Reason:  To ensure adequate protection is afforded to protected species and their habitats in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016 policy E5, and to ensure that appropriate biodiversity enhancements are incorporated into the development, in accordance with policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

11.

No works to the hedge to the south of the access necessary to form visibility splays in accordance with condition 07 shall be carried out other than between November and March inclusive, unless an alternative programme of works (accompanied by up to date survey data) has first been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  To safeguard dormice and nesting birds from disturbance having regard to policy E5 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

12.

No part of any solar panel, its frame or support shall exceed 2.32 metres in height measured from adjacent ground level.

Reason:  In the interests of visual amenity having regard to policy E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

13.

There shall be no more than 8 no. CCTV cameras located on the application site, to be sited on poles not exceeding 5m in height as measured from adjoining ground level.

Reason:  In the interests of visual amenity having regard to policy E2 of the Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2016.

Note to applicant:

1.

In reaching this decision Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has had regard to paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and takes a positive and proactive approach to development proposals focused on solutions. TVBC work with applicants and their agents in a positive and proactive manner offering a pre-application advice service and updating applicants/agents of issues that may arise in dealing with the application and where possible suggesting solutions.