49.99MW solar farm at Land At Stygate Lane, Pickwell

What was proposed

The application proposed a ground-mounted solar farm generating up to 49.99MW, with batteries, infrastructure and associated works.

“Proposal: Full application for a ground mounted photovoltaic solar farm with a capacity of up to 49.99MW, together with associated equipment, infrastructure and ancillary works.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and appeals

Earlier proposals for poultry sheds and anaerobic digestion were refused or dismissed, while an environmental screening decision found no Environmental Statement was required.

“Request for a screening opinion under regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 as to whether an Environmental Statement would be required.”

“The decision was sent on 2 July 2024. The LPA’s opinion, having had regard to the EIA regulations, was that no Environmental Statement would be required. 22/01292/FUL”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the benefits, including renewable energy, energy security, biodiversity and public facilities, clearly outweighed the harms.

“The generation of clean renewable solar energy (up to 49.99MW) estimated to be enough to power 25,175 homes, which is slightly more than the estimated number of homes in Melton Mowbray (24,490 households, based on 2021 census figures) for export to the national grid for a period of 40 years.”

“Improvements to leisure and fitness facilities on the site comprising the following, which collectively are considered to carry SUBSTANTIAL positive weight in the balance: o Increasing the options for walkers by providing 4.7km of new permissive footpaths, including circuits through and around the site and near the stream (whereas currently they can only pass through the site in a straight line, without access near the stream).”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Technical consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions, while 53 public responses objected and 229 supported the application.

“No objection, subject to 3 pre- commencement conditions: one requiring submission of a scheme for temporary drainage facilities, a second requiring submission of a scheme to mitigate any risk from re-fuelling, fuel and hazardous materials storage, and a third requiring submission of a scheme to treat and remove solids from surface water run-off during construction works.”

“Neighbours and Members of the Public A site notice was put up on Stygate Lane, opposite the existing wind turbine, on 16.12.2024. A press notice was published in the Melton Times local newspaper on 19.12.2024. 16 local addresses were notified of the application by letter. • 53 responses have been received objecting to the application. • 229 responses have been received supporting the application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from a parish councillor, an objector, a supporter, the applicant, the agent and the ward councillor.

What members debated

Members discussed landscape harm, flooding, grazing, bees, food security, local support, the project’s scale and the proposed seven-year commencement period.

“During the debate the following points were raised: • The comment was made that the main harm would be landscape and visual and harm, and that consideration must be given as to whether the harms are outweighed by the benefits of the scheme. The Planning Manager addressed the committee and confirmed that significant weight has been given in recent appeal decisions to the provision of solar energy.”

“It was stated that there isn’t the support from the local community for the scheme. • It was recognised that the benefit of renewable energy would be for the grid and it would not necessarily be for the local benefit. • A question was raised as to why Condition 1 had been worded to allow a seven year commencement period, rather than the standard three years. If solar farms are of national importance then surely it should be the standard three years.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted six to four to approve the recommendation, with no abstentions; two councillors requested that their opposition be recorded.

“Councillor Allnatt proposed to approve the recommendation with the following amendments: 1) That condition 1 is amended from 7 years to 3 years, and 2) That an additional condition be included to require the provision of 6 parking spaces, rather than the 4 that had been proposed, and that cycle parking should also be provided to support sustainable transport.”

“Pursuant to the Constitution, Chapter 3, Part 1, Procedure Rule 17.6, Councillors Butcher and Webster wished that their vote against the motion be recorded.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions, including a three-year commencement period, six parking spaces and cycle parking.

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as outlined in Appendix A to the Minutes.”

Minutes