12MW solar farm at Land West Of Dunmow Braintree Road Dunmow

What was proposed

The application sought a temporary solar farm generating up to 12MW, with panels, tracks, substations, cabling, fencing, CCTV and associated works.

“PROPOSAL: Construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of up to a 12MW solar farm and will comprise the construction of solar panels mounted on metal frames, new access tracks, substation buildings, spares container, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, landscaping, temporary construction compounds and all ancillary grid infrastructure and associated site works.”

“The application seeks full planning permission for the construction and operation of a solar farm on agricultural land to the East of Dunmow and in connection with the nearby solar farm at Tooleys Farm.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 18.8-hectare countryside site lies east of Dunmow, beside public footpaths, agricultural land, wildlife sites, ancient woodland and nearby solar developments.

“Access into the site would be through an access road situated directly west of Gusset Cottage; a residential property. The access road runs along the western boundary of Gusset Cottage and extends into the open countryside. Other local settlement areas are nearby with Great Dunmow is c.1.20km west of the site, Little Dunmow c. 1.30km southeast of the site, Stebbing c.”

“The surrounding areas are characterised by arable land and associated agricultural uses, with nearby Local Wildlife Sites and ancient woodlands. Notwithstanding the general agricultural character of the surrounding site there are developments located sporadically throughout the wider locality, such as, residential properties and farmsteads.”

Officer report

Relevant planning history

The application site had no relevant planning history, while three similar solar developments nearby were approved or operational.

“The application site has no relevant site history.”

“UTT/15/2318/FUL Installation and operation of a solar farm and associated infrastructure including photovoltaic panels, mounting frames, inverters, transformers, substations, communications building, composting toilet, access tracks, fencing, pole- mounted CCTV cameras.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, subject to a legal agreement and conditions, because renewable energy and biodiversity benefits outweighed identified landscape, visual and agricultural land harms.

“Planning Balance: The proposal will deliver 12MW of renewable energy, contributing to national and local climate change targets, and providing biodiversity net gains significantly above statutory and local requirements. These benefits are considered to outweigh the identified residual harms relating to landscape, visual impact, and loss of best and most versatile land.”

“It is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions and obligations to secure the landscaping, biodiversity, drainage, construction management, decommissioning and restoration of the land to agricultural use at the end of the operational period.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

Officers identified localised landscape and visual effects, agricultural land concerns, public rights of way impacts and cumulative effects, alongside substantial renewable energy benefits.

“Socio-economic benefits: from temporary construction employment and supply chain opportunities, alongside long-term maintenance roles (limited weight) • The development could enhance landscape features with hedgerow field boundaries and promote the use of traditional hedges and diversity of native hedgerow species (moderate weight) • Temporary nature: the development is proposed for 40 years after which the land will be restored back to agricultural use (moderate weight) •…”

“Visual impacts of the development, especially in relation to, local public right of way network (moderate to significant weight) • Harms to the landscape character and sensitivities (moderate weight) • Harms to Homelye Wood - Ancient Woodland and Local Wildlife Site (moderate weight) • Harms to nearby designated heritage assets (no weight) • Harms to non-designated archaeological heritage assets (moderate weight) • Cumulative impacts of nearby solar developments (limited-…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A member of the public spoke against the application and the agent spoke in favour.

What members debated

Members discussed decommissioning, access width, traffic management, landscaping, cumulative effects, ecology, agricultural land, public rights of way and fencing.

“In response to questions from Members, officers: • Said that the application broadly complied with the Local Plan. • Said there were conditions in place to ensure that decommissioning was correctly undertaken. These were covered through Conditions 5, 28, 29 and 30. These conditions would remain with the land, not the owner. • Said that a timeline for site clearance could be added as Condition 28 (h). • Said there had been responses to public consultation.”

“Members discussed: • The possibility of Condition 28 being amended to refer to being in place before construction begins. • Concerns about the width of the access road and the need for traffic management schemes. Access arrangements could be covered through the Landscaping Condition. • Visual aspects for Dunmow residents. This could be covered through the existing soft landscaping condition. • CP 25 to be considered as the cumulative impact was significant.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to approve was proposed and seconded, and the committee authorised conditional permission.

“Councillor Pavitt said that on balance he accepted that benefits outweighed harms and proposed approval of the application, subject to those items set out in section 17 of the report, the Addendum List and the verbal update. In addition • Condition 28 to read “to be in place before construction begins”.”

“RESOLVED that the Strategic Director of Planning be authorised to grant conditional permission for the development in line with the proposed motion above- A) Conditions.”

Minutes