72 ground-mounted solar panels at Marsh Farm, Mill Lane, Stradbroke, Eye

The site and surroundings

The array would occupy a flat, maintained-grassland paddock east of Marsh Farm in open countryside, outside the dwelling’s residential curtilage.

“The site is a flat, maintained and improved‑grassland paddock east of Marsh Farm, accessed from Mill Lane and located in open countryside to the east of Stradbroke.”

“The proposed site comprises a small parcel to the east of the dwellinghouse which accommodates the proposed array and lies outside the established residential curtilage of Marsh Farm. The wider landholding consists of improved grassland historically managed as part of the operational farmstead and therefore agricultural land.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered a replacement dwelling and a four-bedroom self-build dwelling with associated accommodation at the site.

“REF: DC/21/05808 Full Planning Application - Erection of a replacement dwelling including ancillary single storey leisure suite and detached cartlodge with accommodation over (following demolition of existing dwelling and outbuilding) DECISION: GTD 04.03.2022”

“REF: DC/24/03044 Full Planning Application - Erection of 4 bed detached self-build dwelling with detached cartlodge and guest accommodation over (following demolition of existing dwelling) DECISION: GTD 16.09.2024”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the domestic-scale, reversible installation acceptable because it would generate renewable energy without harmful landscape, ecological, heritage, amenity or infrastructure effects.

“The application site lies outside any defined settlement boundary; however, SP03 permits development in the countryside where it complies with the policies listed in Table 5, which includes LP25 relating to renewable and low-carbon energy proposals.”

“The proposal complies with all of the criteria of LP25(1) and accords with SP03 in establishing the principle of renewable energy development outside the settlement boundary. The development is modest in scale, and is capable of generating a significant amount of domestic renewable energy without resulting in harmful environmental, heritage, landscape, amenity or infrastructural impacts.”

Officer report

Comments from residents

No letters, emails or online comments had been received when the report was written.

“At the time of writing this report no letters/emails/online comments have been received. An update shall be provided as necessary either via Tabled Papers or verbally at the meeting.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The case officer introduced the application and answered members’ questions about energy use, biodiversity requirements and the existing hedgerow.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the absence of parish council objections, the panels’ location within the site and the proposed energy use.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the lack of objections from the Parish Council, the location of the panels within the site, and the proposed energy usage.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Elkin proposed approval, Councillor Lawrence seconded it, and members voted unanimously.

“Councillor Elkin proposed that the application be approved as detailed in the Officer recommendation.”

“Councillor Lawrence seconded the proposal.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the listed conditions, informatives and any further requirements considered necessary by the Chief Planning Officer.

“That Members resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the following conditions and informatives and any others as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Planning Officer:”

“Conditions: • Standard time limit • Approved Plans • Construction Management Plan • Biodiversity Enhancements • Great Crested Newt Method Statement • Compliance with Ecology Report • Compliance with Flood Risk Assessment • Decommissioning and restoration plan • Landscape implementation and retention for 5 years • PV Panel Anti-Reflective Finishes • Location of inverter • No lighting to be installed • Use in relation to host dwelling only…”

Minutes