Agenda item

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 for nearby residents.

·       The chargers themselves may not be loud, but the cars parked charging could be.

·       Chargers could be attempted to be used later meaning the headlights would be shining through the windows at any time.

 

In response to points raised during the public presentations, the Planning Officer advised that:

 

·       The noise assessment had been validated by the Environmental Health team at the Council.

·       That a potential reduction in house prices was not a material planning consideration.

·       That the drawings in the presentation represented what the charging stations would look like, and any different style would need separate planning permission.

·       That the location was determined by existing underground cabling.

 

In response to points raised during the public presentations, the Locum Planning Lawyer advised that there was no requirement for an applicant to be present at this Committee and this would not constitute a valid reason to defer but the item could be deferred if Members consider that more information was required to determine the application.

 

Councillor Claire Billing proposed to defer the application. This was seconded by Councillor Martin Prescott.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Ian Mantle

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

·       Councillor Caroline McDonnell

·       Councillor Martin Prescott

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Val Bryant

 

The following points were raised:

 

·       More information was needed in consideration of the comments from objectors regarding noise and light of the chargers, and more visual support was required. 

·       Information should be gathered as to whether the Council retained a covenant on the land, as previous landowners.

·       Whether further details could be required if permission was granted.

·       There could be issues around non-determination by the Council if item was deferred, which may lead to the return of the planning fee.

·       Drawings that have been submitted were limited and more information about electric vehicle charging points would allow for a more informed decision.

·       There were trees between the proposed charging station and the houses which Members felt would limit some noise.

·       Further request was made to review the drawings and layout plan to ascertain whether there was sufficient information to determine the application.

·       It was recognised that the substation was furthest away from the nearby residential properties.

·       No reason could be pinpoint to defer the application.

 

During the debate the Locum Planning Lawyer confirmed that the application could be deferred if Members considered that insufficient detail was available to enable them to properly assess and determine the application

 

During the debate the Development and Conservation Manager confirmed that the period for determination of the application was due to expire the following day, after which the applicant would have a right to appeal against the failure to determine the application and that this runs the risk of an application for costs, but that the applicant may not lodge such an appeal.

 

During the debate the Planning Officer confirmed that the substation would be 16 metres from the closest point to the property.

 

Following the debate, Councillor Claire Billing withdrew her proposal to defer this application.

 

Councillor Martin Prescott proposed to grant permission, and this was seconded by Councillor Ruth Brown and, following a vote, it was:

 

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.