Solar energy generating station at Woolley Edge Lane, Wakefield

What was proposed

The application sought a renewable energy station with solar arrays, electrical infrastructure, access works, security, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the construction of a renewable led energy generating station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays together with substation, transformer stations, grid connection infrastructure, grid cable route, site accesses, access gates, internal access tracks, security measures, storage compound, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.”

“The site would be surrounded by deer style fencing that would be approximately 2 metres high with access to the western parcel from Haigh Lane, where the main construction compound would be located, and via Middle Field Land and Gypsy Lane for the eastern parcel. Internally facing CCTV cameras mounted on wooden posts would be located at the site at a height of 2.5m to monitor the site.”

Officer report

The site

The site comprised two arable farmland parcels near Woolley, linked by a cable route to a grid connection at Woolley Grange.

“The application site primarily forms two parcels of arable farmland (east and west) that are located to the south-west and west of the village of Woolley and to the north of Woolley Grange. At its closest point the site is 425 metres from Woolley and 800 metres from Woolley Grange. West Bretton lies approximately 1.1km to the north-west of the western parcel, separated from the site by the M1 motorway.”

“The route of the cable runs along Haigh Lane and Woolley Edge Lane, connecting the two parcels before running to the substation in Woolley Grange, with the cable running along The Grange and finally via Woodlands Court.”

Officer report

Planning history and constraints

The site had no planning history and was within the Green Belt, with heritage, ecological, mineral, rights-of-way and flood-risk constraints.

“The site is located within the Green Belt within the Council’s adopted Local Plan to 2036.”

“Mineral Safeguarding Area. • Coal Authority Referral Area (High Risk) Zone. • Bat Alert Zone. • Public Rights of Way, Woolley 5 and 18 run through and on the perimeter of the site. • To the north-east of the eastern parcel of land is the Woolley Conservation Area, Woolley Home Farm Conservation Area and a number listed buildings within the village of Woolley. To the west is the Historic Park and garden of Bretton Hall, which also contains a number of listed buildings.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

consultees generally raised no objection or sought conditions, while Conservation and Design objected to harm to Bretton Park and Bretton Hall.

“Highways Team (WMDC) – no objection in principle, subject to securing conditions for the construction phase of the development.”

“Conservation and Design (WMDC) – Raise objection due to the less than substantial harm caused to the Bretton Hall Grade II Listed Registered Park and Garden from the western parcel of land. The eastern parcel of land is considered to be acceptable, subject to public benefits being demonstrated.”

Officer report

What people said

Most representations opposed the scheme because of landscape, heritage, Green Belt, farmland, highway, flooding, wildlife and amenity concerns, while others supported its benefits.

“Objections • The site is close a conservation area and adversely impact on its setting. • The local area around the application uniquely picturesque and the proposal would damage the nature beauty of the local area. • The main purpose of the Green Belt is to keep land open and free from development, the proposal would not achieve this and set a dangerous precedent for other such proposals.”

“The proposal will have an unacceptable impact on landscape character, protected species, flood risk, heritage, highway safety, local amenity and lead to cumulative impacts. • The development has not demonstrated very special circumstances to justify Green Belt development. • There are concerns with regard to glint and glare impact. • The proposal has the potential to detrimental impact dwellings in the local area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard representations for the applicant, from Woolley Parish Council opposing the application, and from the local ward member opposing it.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the report’s conditions, additional information and completion of a legal obligation securing specified matters.

“Approved - Subject to: (1) Those conditions and reasons set out in Service Director, Planning, Transportation and Strategic Highway’s report and the additional information sheet circulated at the meeting.”

“(2) The completion of an Obligation under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the matters set out in the report; with authority to complete the Obligation and to issue the final decision being delegated to the Service Director, Planning, Transportation and Strategic Highways in conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer.”

Minutes