296 solar panels at Land Adjacent Lime Tree Gate Lime Tree Way Chineham

“Minor harm would arise from the proposed development having regard to impacts on the landscape and visual amenity, whereby, the additional development would be sited on an existing grassed/soft landscaping area. However, the level of harm is considered to be minor, whereby development of this nature is complimentary to a primarily industrial area, and of a use and scale that is appropriate to the site and location.”

“The proposal seeks planning permission for 296 no. ground mounted solar panels on existing level grassed /soft landscaping area and erection of security fencing in association with the adjacent commercial business. A new hedge is also proposed to be planted on the outside of the fencing. The applicant's agent has also confirmed that 3 no.”

“Spinnaker House, to the south-east of the application site, is a former office building which has been converted to residential flats through the prior approval process under 16/04426/GPDOFF and 17/02516/GPDOFF. The application site lies adjacent to the access to Spinnaker House.”

“The land is open along the access to Spinnaker House. There are existing trees and vegetation to part of the highway boundary and there is an existing hedge to the north of the site between the application site and Lime Tree Gate. The wider surrounding area is characterised predominantly by commercial and industrial buildings of varying sizes and scales as typically found in Strategic Employment Areas.”

“Whilst minor harm has been identified in landscape terms, the proposed development would provide benefits through the use of a renewable energy source for a complimentary commercial use and the minor harm identified would be highly mitigated in an area which is predominantly industrial in nature. Overall, the benefits of the scheme are considered to outweigh the harm caused in this instance.”

“Comment Where in the report this is considered 1. Impact on visual amenity of the area ii 2. Impact on landscape character ii 3. Increased surface water vii 4. Battery cooling will create noise pollution iv 5. Impact on biodiversity vi 6. Highways and construction traffic v 7. Noise impacts from the panels absorbing light iv 8. Glare and reflections from solar panels iv 9. Loss of green space for Spinnaker House ii 10. Impact on property and rental values viii 11.”

“The Committee considered the report set out on pages of 143 of 171 of the agenda and other matters discussed at the meeting.”

“RESOLVED that: the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and informatives listed below.”

“6 Prior to the commencement of development, a Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plan (BEMP) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, that sets out the implementation and delivery of onsite habitat and species recommendations and enhancements as set out within the supporting Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment (Arbtech, October 2025). The BEMP will align with the approved Biodiversity Gain Plan and its supporting Biodiversity Metric.”

“11 No development shall take place, (including any works of demolition), until a Construction Traffic Management Plan has been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The approved statement shall include scaled drawings illustrating the provision for - 1) Construction vehicle routing. 2) Construction vehicle types. 3) Construction vehicle numbers…”