Electricity substation at Land At Windmill Farm, Northampton Lane, Dunchurch

What was proposed

The application proposed a new electricity substation with transformers, temporary access, fencing, landscaping and drainage.

“Description: New electricity substation including transformers, creation of a temporary access via the Homestead Link Road and associated fencing, landscaping and drainage…”

Officer report

The site

The site is part of an agricultural field north of Northampton Lane and west of Cawston Lane, with arable land, hedgerows and drainage land.

“Description of site 2.1 This application relates to part of an agricultural field located to the west of Cawston Lane and to the north of Northampton Lane, which is a restricted byway, a public right of way.”

“The application site boundary includes land necessary to access the public highway from the site, this land forms part of the site of the previously approved Homestead Link Road. This part of the site crosses the field from Cawston Lane to Northampton Lane in the south east, this crosses an existing hedgerow and part of this has been removed in accordance with the Homestead Link Road planning permission.”

Officer report

Earlier planning

The site includes land from the approved Homestead Link Road, while a wider South West Rugby development application is under consideration.

“Planning History R22/0928 Full planning application for the delivery of an all-traffic single carriageway link road (the Homestead Link Road), including 2m verge, 2m footway and 3m cycleway on the development side of the carriageway, a Pegasus crossing, new junctions with the B4429 Coventry Road, Cawston Lane, Alywn Road, the A426 Rugby Road and to adjacent land allocated for residential development, plus realigned side road accesses to several existing residential…”

“R25/0491 Outline application for up to 1,600 residential dwellings; a 2 form entry Primary School; a 6 form entry Secondary School and Community Sports Hub including floodlit outdoor sports & changing/social/indoor fitness facilities; healthcare facilities; a mixed use centre containing residential dwellings, supported living facility, up to 11,200 sqm of community and commercial development which could include retail, office, food and drink, nursery/creche, community/public…”

Officer report

Wildlife and landscape

Officers considered that proposed planting would support the required wildlife corridor and provide biodiversity net gain exceeding 10 percent.

“The site cannot be considered in isolation and the proposed tree and hedgerow planting will provide connections to the landscaping to be provided in relation to the Homestead Link Road and will allow the continuation of the Green and Blue Infrastructure further to the north as part of future applications. The proposed landscaping will provide increased planting and greater connectivity than the existing arable field.”

“It is therefore considered that the proposed planting will contribute to the required Green and Blue Infrastructure corridor in accordance will the relevant policies.”

Officer report

Objections received

The parish council and 65 residents objected mainly to impacts on wildlife corridors, habitats, landscape, recreation and the wider South West Rugby development.

“Local residents (65) Objection - Proposals will affect wildlife corridor required by Local Plan and SPD. - Unacceptable cumulative loss of green infrastructure and ecological connectivity. - Other applications in the area are affecting wildlife habitat. - Application claims the development will enhance biodiversity, but not enough mitigation.”

“- Area is used by hundreds of people for recreation. - Loss of agricultural land for housing. - No Design and Access Statement or Statement of Compliance with the SPD. - Unclear why this site has been chosen, power is coming from the north not the south. - Contrary to policies in the Local Plan and South West Rugby SPD. - Dunchurch will become a suburb of Rugby. - Homes England are not proposing affordable housing at South West Rugby.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and the applicant, who spoke in support, addressed the committee.

The committee vote

A councillor moved and another seconded authorisation to grant permission subject to the report’s conditions and informatives.

“(d) New electricity substation including transformers, creation of a temporary access via the Homestead Link Road and associated fencing, landscaping and drainage at Land at Windmill Farm, Northampton Lane, Dunchurch (R25/0360) – Councillor Mistry moved and Councillor Karadiar seconded that the Chief Officer for Growth and Investment be authorised to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee authorised the Chief Officer for Growth and Investment to grant permission for the substation subject to the conditions and informatives.

“(a) Retrospective application for 1 pitch for Gypsy and Traveller use, including 1 tourer, the siting of 2 mobile homes, a storage building, gravel hardstanding, a paved patio, 2 amenity buildings, vehicular access of Top Park access road, together with the retention of gates across both accesses and boundary fencing at 17 Top Park, Top Road, Barnacle, CV7 9FS (R24/0976) – Councillor Mistry moved and Councillor Srivastava seconded that the Chief Officer for Growth and…”

Minutes

Permission requirements

The permission includes requirements for materials, ecological protection, lighting, habitat management, landscaping and construction management.

“CONDITION: No development shall take place (including demolition, ground works and vegetation clearance) unless and until a Construction Environmental Management Plan for Biodiversity (CEMP-B) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The CEMP-B shall include the following: a) Risk assessment of potentially damaging construction activities. b) Identification of “biodiversity protection zones”.”

Officer report