Agenda item

Proposal: Installation of solar farm with associated battery storage, comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, including mounting systems, inverters and transformers, electrical substation, underground cabling, stock proof fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks and associated infrastructure for a temporary period of 40 years

Location: Land adjacent to Spalding Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

Proposal: Installation of solar farm with associated battery storage, comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, including mounting systems, inverters and transformers, electrical substation, underground cabling, stock proof fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks and associated infrastructure for a temporary period of 40 years

Location: Land adjacent to Spalding Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

 

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

 

District Ward Councillor:                        Cllr Zoe Lane

Behalf of Applicant                                Tony Gannon

 

 

Together with:

 

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036, Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven Supplementary Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), National Policy Statement for Energy (EN1) and National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN3).

·       No comments received from Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board.

·       Comments received from Bourne Civic Society.

·       Comments received from Bourne Town Council.

·       No comments received from Civil Aviation Authority.

·       No comments received from Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

·       Comments received from Environment Agency.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Highways and SuDS)

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Planning Policy)

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

·       No comments received from National Grid.

·       Comments received from Natural England.

·       Comments received from Peterborough City Council.

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       No comments received from SKDC Environmental Protection.

·       Comments received from South Holland District Council.

 

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

 

·       Clarification was sought around concern raised on contaminated water run-off to the land.

 

The District Councillor clarified that lithium-ion batteries were used for energy storage and if they were to catch fire, the waste and surface water would run-off from the site would go into the drains.

 

·       It was discussed whether the batteries were lithium-ion or lithium-ion phosphate.

·       It was highlighted that the Black Sluice Drainage Board had not raised any objections.

 

The Applicant confirmed that the final composition of the batteries had not yet been determined via a procurement exercise.

 

Included within the submitted plan was a water tank which would include enough water to extinguish any fires in addition to other fire measures. Any contaminated water would be captured and would not be directly released into the drains. A condition outlined the submission of a surface water management plan for approval which would address containment of water as a result of the use of a fire extinguisher.

 

·       It was queried where the solar panels would be procured from.

 

The Applicant encouraged the use of local procurement, at present solar panels manufactured in the UK were limited and therefore be sourced overseas. The Applicant’s were Members of the Solar Stewardship Initiative meaning the manufacturing of the panels would not incur any raw materials or exploitation of workers.

 

It was clarified that the application was of a temporary nature meaning there was not a permanent loss, and no land would be lost for agriculture as sheep grazing would be permitted on site.

 

·       Whether the Applicant’s had approached other landowners with lower quality land for the proposed site.

 

As part of a search site process, there were no other sites identified.  Applicant’s found difficulty in finding suitable areas with lower BMV land with a grid connection, due to most land being best and most versatile.

 

·       Whether the Applicants could avoid installing solar panels on areas of the land which were best and most versatile.

 

It was confirmed that the site had been reduced to 34 hectares with the majority not being best and most versatile land in order to protect the land.

 

It was clarified that the site would be for temporary permission for 40 years. Following the 40-year period, the site would be decommissioned and returned to its original use and condition.

 

·       Whether any mitigations could be put into place to increase the biodiversity net gain further.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed the application would bring a 18.79 unit increase and could not be quantified as a percentage as there was not an existing hedgerow.

 

·       Whether the site being prone to flooding could impact the possibility of grazing sheep on the land.

 

The full site was not within flood zone 3 and the solar farm was designed to be compatible with flood zone 3 and would not impact sheep grazing.

 

·       Whether the fencing would be raised to enable smaller mammals access to the site.

 

The fencing proposed was a standard agricultural fence, which would consist of 2 metres in height with large gaps to enable riparian corridors.

 

·       Whether the Applicant had plans to undertake meadow flower planting in addition to hedgerow planting.

 

It was clarified that within the north-west of the site, a large area of biodiversity enhancement, which would include wildflower meadow planting.

 

·       Whether the wildflower meadow planting would be native Lincolnshire seeding.

 

Within the site plan proposals, it was conditioned that any seeding from stakeholders would match the local environment.

 

(It was AGREED to extend the meeting to 17:00)

 

During question to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

 

·       Clarification was sought on whether other solar farm applications had been approved near to the proposed site.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed and provided visuals on the other 2 solar farms within the close vicinity that had planning permission.

 

·       Whether any objections had been received from neighboring properties to the site.

 

3 objection letters had been received on this application.

 

·       Whether there was any provision to condition funding to cover decommissioning, in the event the business is unsuccessful.

 

The condition relating to the decommissioning of the site was in conjunction to the land rather than the operator of the land.

 

·       Members raised concern on the loss of the best and most versatile land (BMV).

·       The details of the amount of best and most versatile land temporarily lost to solar farms in the District was requested.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed this application had 16 hectares of BMV, the Church Farm application was 27 hectares of BMV, Ash Tree Solar Farm, Welby was 0.5 hectares of BMV and Pastures Farm, Welby was 40 hectares of BMV.

 

·       One Member noted that weight should be given to the enhanced biodiversity of the schemes.

 

A landscape and ecological management plan which would ensure the requirement of sheep grazing.

 

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:

 

Time Limit for Commencement

Time Limit for Commencement

1)    The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In order that the development is commenced in a timely manner, as set out in Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Temporary Permission Limits

2)    Written confirmation of the first export date shall be provided to the Local Planning Authority no later than 20 days following the event. The development hereby permitted shall cease on or before the expiry of a 40 year period from the date of the first export of electricity from the solar farm to the electricity grid network; excluding electricity exported during initial testing and commissioning.

The land shall thereafter be restored to its former condition in accordance with a scheme of decommissioning work (“Decommissioning Scheme”) which shall make provision for the removal of the solar panels and all other associated equipment, and the subsequent restoration of the site. The scheme shall include details of:

The extent of equipment and foundation removal, and the site restoration to be carried out;

The management and timing of any works;

A Traffic Management Plan to address the likely traffic impacts arising during the decommissioning period.

An Environmental Management Plan to include details of measures to be taken during the decommissioning period to protect wildlife, habitat features and trees on the site.

The location of any temporary compound and parking areas.

Full details of the removal of the solar arrays, associated buildings and plant, any access tracks and sub-surface cabling and all associated ground restoration, including trench backfilling.

Full details of all other works to the land to allow for renewed agricultural production following the removal of structures from the site.

A programme of implementation.

The Decommissioning Scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, no later than 39 years from the date of the first export of electricity and shall be subsequently implemented as approved.

Reason: The proposed development has a 40 year operational period, and to ensure that the site is fully restored to allow for agricultural use, and to maintain the rural landscape character of the area.

Approved Plans

3)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans:

a)    Proposed Site Layout Plan (Rev I) (received 28 January 2025)

b)    Standard Equipment Drawings Pack (Rev 5) (received 28 January 2025)

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

Reason: To define the permission and for the avoidance of doubt.

Power Output

4)    The exported output of the solar farm hereby approved to the licenced Distribution Network must not exceed 20 MW (AC)

Reason: To define the permission and ensure that the output of the proposal remains below the limitations allowed under the Town and Country Planning Act.

Before the Development is Commenced

Heritage / Archaeology

Archaeological Mitigation Plan

5)    Before the development hereby permitted is commenced, an Archaeological Mitigation Strategy shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The strategy shall include:

a.    A Written Scheme of Investigation for further archaeological evaluation of the site

b.    A plan illustrating the location of archaeological remains on the site;

c.     Areas which are designated for archaeological monitoring and recording;

d.    Proposals to ensure that significant archaeological remains are protected or, if appropriate, set out a programme of further archaeological works to ensure that they are recorded in advance of works on site;

e.    A programme for the implementation of the archaeological mitigation strategy.

Thereafter, all works on site shall be carried out in accordance with the approved Archaeological Mitigation Strategy.

Reason: In order to provide a reasonable opportunity to record the history of the site and in accordance with Policy EN6 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Materials Details

6)    Before any part of the development hereby permitted is commenced, a specification of the materials to be used in the construction of external surfaces of the development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and in accordance with Policy DE1 and EN1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan; and to ensure that the development does not result in any harm to nearby heritage assets as required by Policy EN6 of the adopted Local Plan.

Biodiversity / Ecology

Construction Environmental Management Plan

7)    Before any part of the development hereby permitted is commenced, a detailed Construction Environmental Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The submitted CEMP shall include measures to mitigate against the adverse effects of vehicular movements and noise and means to manage the drainage and ecological impacts of the construction stages of the development. The detailed CEMP shall include:

a.    Details of access construction to ensure that the proposed development can be accessed by emergency vehicles and construction vehicles.

b.    Construction hours

c.     The routing and management of all construction vehicles

d.    The parking of all vehicles and site operatives

e.    The loading and unloading of all plant and materials

f.      The storage of all plant and materials used in constructing the development

g.    Wheel washing facilities

h.    Ecological Management Plan, including appointment of an Ecological Clerk of Works, and the implementation of Natural England licences as required.

i.      Relevant details of the archaeological mitigation strategy for the protection of retained features during the construction period.

The approved CEMP shall be strictly adhered to throughout the construction period.

Reason: To minimise the effects of the construction stage of the development on the highway, and ecological and archaeological assets.

During Building Works

Landscape and Visual Impact

Detailed Soft Landscaping Plans

8)    No development above ground shall commence until details of all soft landscaping works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Details shall be in broad accordance with the submitted Landscape Ecological Management Plan (Ref: NEO01024_033/Rev A) and shall include:

a.    Planting plans;

b.    Written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); and

c.     Schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers / densities where appropriate.

Reason: Soft landscaping and tree planting make an important contribution to the development and its assimilation with its surroundings and in accordance with Policy EN1 and DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan

Flood Risk and Drainage

Surface Water Management Plan

9)    The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until such time as a scheme for the disposal of surface water in the event of a fire within the battery energy storage system (BESS) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Thereafter, the approved scheme shall be implemented before the development hereby permitted is first brought into use, and shall be retained and maintained in full for the lifetime of the development.

Reason: To ensure that the proposed development does not give risk to an unacceptable risk of surface water flooding and groundwater pollution, as required by Policy EN4 and EN5 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Flood Mitigation Scheme

10)The development shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted flood risk assessment undertaken by Neo Environmental Ltd [ref: Technical Appendix 4: Flood Risk and Drainage Scheme, dated 27 January 2025] and the following mitigation measures it details:

In particular the solar panels shall be set no lower than 1.15m above Ordnance Datum (AOD)

 Reason To reduce the risk of flooding to the proposed development in line with Policy EN5 of the South Kesteven Local Plan

Biodiversity / Ecology

Ecological Mitigation

11)All works on site during the construction period shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations contained within Table 2-11 and Table 2-12 of the Ecological Impact Assessment (Neo-Environmental) (January 2025).

Reason: In the interests of best ecological practice and in accordance with Policy EN2 (Protecting Biodiversity and Geodiversity) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Before the Development is Operational

Landscape and Visual Impact

Landscape and Ecological Management Plan

12)Before the solar development hereby permitted is operational, a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and shall include details of the management and monitoring of the site during the operational period.

Reason: To protect and enhance the existing landscape features on the site, and to mitigate the harm to the landscape and visual characteristics of the area as a result of the development; and in accordance with Policy EN1 (Landscape Character), EN2 (Protecting Biodiversity and Geodiversity) and DE1 (Promoting Good Quality Design) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Landscaping Implementation

13)Before the end of the first planting / seeding season following the date when electrical power is first exported (“first export date”), all landscaping works shown on the approved Landscaping Strategy shall have been carried out in full, unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

Reason: To mitigate the harm to the rural character caused by the proposal and to secure a biodiversity net gain and in accordance with Policy EN1 (Landscape Character) and Policy EN2 (Protecting Biodiversity and Geodiversity) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

 

External Material Implementation

14)Before the development is operational, the external appearance of all built form on the site shall have been completed in accordance with the details approved by Condition 6 above.

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and in accordance with Policy DE1 (Promoting Good Quality Design) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Access / Highways

Operational Environmental Management Plan

15)Before the date of the first export of electricity from the development hereby permitted, an Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) relating to any maintenance or repair works of the approved development shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the solar farm continues to generate electricity; and to mitigate the impacts of any further construction works required for the repair or replacement solar arrays; in accordance with Policy RE1 (Renewable Energy Generation) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Ongoing

Landscape and Visual Impact

Lighting Details

16)No permanent illumination of the site shall be permitted unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. In such circumstances, prior to the erection of any external lighting on site, a lighting plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and thereafter retained for the lifetime of the development.

Reason: To protect the rural character of the site and in accordance with Policy EN1 (Landscape Character) of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

Compliance with LEMP

17)The approved development must be carried out in accordance with the approved Landscape and Ecological Management Plan.

Reason: To protect and enhance the existing landscape features, and to mitigate the harm to the landscape and visual characteristics of the area as a result of the development; and in accordance with Policy EN1 and DE1 of the adopted Local Plan.

Landscape Protection

18)Within a period of five years from the first export date, any trees or plants provided as part of the approved Landscaping Plan that die or become, in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, seriously damaged or defective, shall be replaced in the first planting season following any such loss with a specimen of the same size and species, unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To mitigate the harm to the rural character caused by the proposal and to secure a biodiversity net gain and in accordance with Policy EN1 (Landscape Character) of the adopted Local Plan.

 

Early Decommissioning

19)In the event that the site ceases to generate electricity for a period of 12 months prior to the cessation of the 40 year period, a scheme of Decommissioning Works (“Early Decommissioning Scheme”) shall be submitted no later than 6 months from the end of the 12 month non-electricity generating period to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing. The early decommissioning scheme shall include the same details required under the Decommissioning Scheme set out in Condition 2 of this permission.

Thereafter, the early decommissioning scheme shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the solar farm continues to generate electricity or is otherwise removed to the benefit of the character and appearance, and agricultural productivity of the District; in accordance with Policy EN1 and RE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.