Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gemma Monaco.  Councillor Alex Fogg attended as substitute for Councillor Monaco.

Apologies were also received on behalf of Councillor Brandon Clayton who had been due to attend as a speaker in his ward member capacity for agenda item 5.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and / or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declaration of interest.

RESOLVED that

The Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 10^th November 2021 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.

To note Update Reports (if any) for the Planning Applications to be considered at the meeting (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting)

There was no Update Report.

Construction of a Greener Grid Park comprising energy storage and grid balancing equipment along with associated infrastructure, landscaping and access

Officers presented the report and took Members through the slides in the presentation pack.  In doing so officers set out the physical elements of the proposed battery storage facility, it’s siting and location and access arrangements.  The site’s location, adjacent to the existing Feckenham National Grid substation was part of the design, and Members were referred to the reasons why that particular location had been selected as set out at pages 22 to 24 of the agenda.

The purpose of the site would be to store electricity and to aid the flexible operation of the National Grid and the decarbonisation of electricity supply.

The development would be operated remotely with occasional inspection and maintenance visits.  Significant landscaping works were proposed including retention of existing trees, new planting and biodiversity enhancements.

The site would be operated remotely, with occasional site visits, and would produce 11 full time equivalent jobs.

Officers explained that the site was located entirely in the Green Belt and Members were referred to the analysis of Green Belt issues set out on pages 24 to 30 of the agenda.  Officers had concluded that the impact on the openness of the Green Belt would be limited given the low scale of development and proposed landscaping.  Further, that the applicant had demonstrated that Very Special Circumstances existed based upon locational need, the innovative nature of the technology to be used and the contribution the site would make to the national target of decarbonisation.

With regard to HGV routing, it was noted that the application had previously been deferred by Planning Committee for this element to be looked into in more detail.  Officers summarised the different routes available, and Members were referred to the HGV routing plan set out on page 25 of the Site Plans and Presentations Pack. 

The construction phase was expected to take 18 months, and in peak periods (months 1 to 3 and 8 to 9) there could be up to 58 two way HGV movements per day, and together with associated staff vehicle movements, this could produce a total of up to 98 two way movements per day.  Officers pointed out that this level of vehicle movements would be temporary and confined to the construction period only, reducing to a minimal level once the site was operational.

As a contractor had not been appointed yet, it was premature to be able to advise Members what specific routes would be used.  However, it was noted that routes 1,3 and 5 had been assessed by County Highways as unsuitable for HGV movements, whilst routes 2,4 and 6 had been found to be suitable.  Following consultation with the County Abnormal Loads Team, the recommended route for abnormal loads would be Route 1 with mitigating measures in place including night working and road closures.

Officers commented on some of the other elements of the application including the proposed woodland habitat  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Agricultural track

Officers outlined the application for the installation of a track of 75 metres in length and 200 mm in depth across agricultural land in the green belt to enable access between the Berrowhill Lane and land owned by the applicant.

Officers took Members through the plans and images on the Site Plans and Presentations Pack from which it was noted that in December 2021 the track had already been installed, pending the outcome of the planning application.

Officers explained that due to the location of the site close to an adjacent field with “ridge and furrow” topography, an archaeological condition had been agreed and would involve the digging of a test trench (Condition 3).  Members were referred to the comments of the county archaeology service on page 52 of the agenda.

There had been no objections form statutory consultees, save for the comments from Feckenham Parish Council ( page 50) and the application was recommended for approval on the basis that an agricultural need had been demonstrated.

At the invitation of the Chair the Applicant Mr Kim Morton addressed the Committee under the Council’s public speaking rules.

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be GRANED subject to the conditions set out on pages 55 to 56 of the agenda.

Proposed installation of air source heat pump to service existing business centre

Members received a report outlining the proposal to install an air source heat pump at Greenlands Business Centre.  Officers outlined the location and appearance of the heat pump.

In addition to the images in the Site Plans and Presentations Pack, officers advised that an amended plan had been received which would form part of Condition 2.  The changes in the amended plan were of a minor nature and did not change the officer recommendation which was for approval.

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out on pages 59 to 60 of the agenda and to the addition to Condition 2 of the following additional plan reference: -

“Drawing No. CN2139-ALT-ZZ-XX-DR-Z-1401 rev. P2 Site Plan”

Proposed installation of air source heat pump and associated equipment including external buffer vessel

Members received a report outlining the proposal to install an air source heat pump and buffer vessel.  Officers outlined the location and appearance of the equipment which would be located on the eastern side of the Town Hall Roof. 

RESOLVED that

Having regard to the development plan and to all other material considerations, planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out on page 63 of the agenda.