Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Installation of EV charging zones, including the erection of sub-station enclosure, LV panel, meter cabinet and associated works.

RESOLVED: That application 25/00466/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 1 hour 59 minutes 46 seconds

The Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 25/00466/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Martin Prescott

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Claire Billing

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Bryony May

In response to questions, the Planning Officer advised that:

·       He could not confirm that the 30db noise was constant or only when in use.

·       Conditions already stipulate that signage was not currently permitted and further permission must be requested.

·       The 30db would be between 7am and 10pm.

·       The only lighting would come from touch screen display.

·       The charges would only be usable between 7am and 10pm.

In response to questions, the Development and Conservation Manager advised that whilst a percentage of parking spaces at establishments such as supermarkets were designed and reserved for disabled users, currently there was not enough provision of EV bays to justify a requirement for a percentage of EV charging spaces to be reserved disabled bays.

The Chair invited Ms Marlene Gray to speak against this application. Ms Gray thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       She was speaking on behalf of her daughter who lived adjacent to the proposed charging points.

·       The area surrounding the proposed charging points was a quiet area, and the House of Lords Science and Techology Committee reported that low level noise pollution could be life shortening.

·       Properties could be devalued by proximity to a substation.

·       Fires at electrical substation could spread as neighbouring properties were only 23m away.

In response to a question by Councillor Martin Prescott, Ms Gray advised that she did not just object to the substation as she believed the chargers would also make low level noise.

The Chair thanked Ms Gray and invited Ms Jackie Sayers to speak against this application. Ms Sayers thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       Her house backed on the car park where the charges were proposed.

·       Electric Vehicles are good, but the design of the charging points must be modest.

·       She provided Members with pictures prior to the meeting which showed bright blue fixtures which would be unsightly.

·       A different location would be better for disabled users.

In response to a question by Councillor Nigel Mason, Ms Sayers advised that pictures circulated to Members ahead of the meeting were obtained from the website of the EV charger company.

The Chair thanked Ms Sayers and invited Councillor Claire Winchester to speak against this application. Councillor Winchester thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       She had called in this item to support residents in her ward.

·       She was not against the provision of electric vehicle chargers, but believed it could be placed at a better location within the car park.

·       The difference in ground height meant headlights would be at bedroom height  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8