Underground electricity cable at Solar Electrical Cable, Harlow

What was proposed

The application proposed a 33kV underground cable beneath Roydon Road and Elizabeth Way, ending at Harlow West Substation and serving the East End Solar Farm.

“A previous application for the cable route (ref. HW/FUL/22/00525) was approved by Harlow Council on 14 April 2023 subject to conditions. That approval is due to expire before the development can be implemented. The delay arises from the planning application for the East Solar Farm itself, which was initially refused by Epping Forest District Council and subsequently allowed on appeal (ref. APP/J1535/W/23/3334690, dated 3 May 2024).”

“The development is required in connection with the East End Solar Farm, which is a proposed 69.6ha solar farm, capable of exporting up to 49.9 MW of renewable electricity, sufficient to power approximately 16,581 homes annually. The application permission for the solar farm, as allowed on appeal, is for a period of 40 years, after which the land would be decommissioned and restored to its previous state.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site covered 1.8 kilometres of adopted highway through mainly industrial surroundings, including the Pinnacles Employment Area and nearby listed buildings.

“Land use in the surrounding area is predominantly industrial, with notable exceptions including Harlow Stadium and the Harlow Town Football ground, located to the north of the site close to the junction with Elizabeth Way. A small area of low-density housing, including a number of grade II listed buildings and one grade II* listed building, also lies near to the westernmost portion of the site.”

“The majority of the site falls within the Pinnacles Employment Area as defined by Local Plan Policy ED2. The southernmost portion of it, up to the junction with Fourth Avenue, also forms part of the sustainable transport corridor allocated under Local Plan Policy SIR1-2. Aside from this, the site is not subject to any particular designations or environmental constraints…”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

Officers considered the temporary disruption acceptable because the cable would be underground, the highway restored, and lasting effects on trees, heritage, appearance and biodiversity avoided.

“Whilst some disruption to the public highway network and the amenities of nearby residential occupiers is inevitable, this would occur over a brief period, after which there would be no lasting impact. The impacts would also be mitigated by the imposition of conditions to control…”

“There would be no lasting impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, on heritage assets, or on biodiversity.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Highways raised no objection, while consultees and local people raised concerns about route details, traffic, listed buildings, storage, access and business disruption.

“There is no reference in this application that gives confidence that any works adjacent to these buildings will not be impacted in any way to buildings or the land fronting these buildings, as this application covers an area of Roydon Road where listed buildings are located.”

“The planning submission acknowledges that trenching works along Roydon Road and Elizabeth Way will result in congestion and disruption. However, there is no robust traffic or business impact assessment that considers the cumulative effect on existing employers operating within the Pinnacles Employment Area'. • Roydon Road is not a minor access route, it is a primary commercial artery supporting daily movements of engineers, specialist vehicles and deliveries.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent made a representation to the committee.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out for the application.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report.”

Minutes