Issue - meetings

RESOLVED: That application 22/00709/FP be REFUSED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 1 hour 19 seconds

The Senior Planning Officer provided an update that there had been a further response from the LLFA stating that they objected to the application as there was no surface water drainage on the western parcel of the site.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of application 22/00709/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

The following Members asked points of clarification:

·       Councillor Ian Mantle

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to the points of clarification the Senior Planning Officer stated that:

·       The application was for temporary use of the land for 40 years, whilst this was a considerable length of time it was noted that this was not unusual for this type of application.

·       The study area highlighted in blue, and commissioned by the applicant, showed the different impacts of planning matters, such as Heritage assets and residential properties, the study identified potential areas that may be impacted, and these were then addressed in the report.

The Chair invited Mr Peter Hobson to speak against the application. Mr Hobson thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation including that:

·       They supported renewable energy, but this application was in the wrong location.

·       They supported the report and recommendations of the Senior Planning Officer.

·       The application site was crossed by well used footpaths including the Hertfordshire Way which offered picturesque views, this application would cause significant harm to the landscape and visual impact of these footpaths and to the openness of the green belt land.

·       The HCC Conservation Officer objected to the application due to the great harm to nearby Heritage assets located at Almshoe Bury, the Wyck and the Redcoat Farmhouse.

·       There were 409 comments received about the application, 236 of the comments were objections, with the majority of objectors living close to the site.

·       There had been over a thousand signatures on a petition opposing the application, but supporting renewable energy options.

·       People of Hitchin wanted renewable energy but felt that this was not the right site.

·       North Herts currently generates 11 megawatts of electricity from two small solar projects.

·       This solar farm, and the proposed Bygrave site would be amongst the largest solar farms in the UK with an estimated 50 megawatts capacity each which would equate to 1.34% of all ground mounted solar PV in the UK.

·       Should the two applications be successful the sites would equate to 20% of all ground mounted solar capacity installed this year and 10% over the last 12 months.

·       In proportion to land mass this application would be five times above the UK national average of ground mounted solar PV.

·       The proposed site was on highly valuable green land that was currently enjoyed by local residents.

The Chair thanked Mr Hobson for his presentation and invited Councillor David Barnard to speak against the application. Councillor Barnard thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation including that: 

·       NHDC declared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142