Solar panels and carport at The Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle

What was proposed

The scheme would install ground-mounted solar panels, a solar carport, associated infrastructure, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements for a temporary 25-year period.

“The proposed development is for: 'Installation of a ground mounted solar PV array and solar array car port, along with associated infrastructure, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.' Planning permission is sought for a temporary period of 25 years from the date of first exportation of electricity from the site.”

“The proposed development relates to two neighbouring parcels of land. The first being identified for ground mounted solar PV development, comprising a vacant greenfield area between The Hub main building and Mareham Road. This area of land comprises vacant grassland.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a council administrative base with an overgrown grassed area, car park, protected trees, residential neighbours and a campus-like green character.

“Between the southern carpark to the new Hub building itself and Mareham Lane to the South there is an overgrown grassed area. Google Street images from 2008 and 2009 shows the site as a maintained grassed area with low hedge to the roadside and views across the site from the road. There are 4 feature cherry trees within the hedge. The roadside edge is now mature and the cherry trees almost lost within the hedge.”

“Overall the site, and the wider Hub area has a defining green, campus like character with fairly open grounds, buildings, mature trees and car parks.”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

The proposal was considered policy-compliant, with technical reports identifying suitable mitigation and renewable energy generation supporting carbon reduction targets.

“The government's commitment to renewable energy has strong national and local policy backing but needs to be balanced against individual site circumstances. In this case, the open space designation has particular relevance.”

“The application submission identifies all potential environmental, residential and heritage impacts, and demonstrates how they have been appropriately mitigated where required and accordingly, the proposal is in full accordance with policy. The supporting technical reports also consider ecology, transport, noise, arboricultural, geo-environmental and glint and glare considerations.”

Officer report

Consultation and public comments

The town council supported the application, the highway authority raised no objection, and one representation raised drainage, lighting, CCTV, trees and shading.

“TOWN COUNCIL - support this application with a question as to why there is no battery storage facility? note that the 4 cherry trees to be removed will be replaced, however, they ask that they are replaced with native species and at the earliest opportunity.”

“One third party representation raising the following points: that the proposal will allow for natural drainage. Need to ensure that lighting and placement of CCTV is appropriate. Need to avoid light pollution. Clarity over the 4 wild cherry trees is needed. When are they to be replaced. And alternatives not to shade panels is needed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no speakers on the application.

Members’ debate

Members discussed construction timing, working outside bird nesting season, tree replacement and whether battery storage should be included.

“- A Member commented that this work should have been carried out during the construction phase of the Hub. A further comment was made with regards to the work being undertaken outside of the bird nesting season, Paragraph 7.18 of the report refers, and requested a condition to be added in regard to this.”

“- A Member requested that any trees scheduled for removal be replaced at the earliest opportunity. A further comment was made highlighting the lack of battery storage with a suggestion that a battery be incorporated into the development.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the proposal in line with the officer recommendation, with nine votes in favour and none against or abstaining.

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with officer recommendation was carried.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions covering implementation, tree protection, temporary operation, restoration, landscaping, biodiversity and lighting.

“The planning permission hereby granted shall be for a temporary period only, to expire 25 years after the first export date of the development. Written confirmation of the first export date shall be provided to the local planning authority within 14 days after the event.”

“PL 18 9 Notwithstanding the submitted details, no external lighting shall be installed on site unless details of such lighting, including design, location, the intensity of illumination and fields of illumination, have been first submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes