Site-wide enabling works at Coventry Airport, Baginton, Coventry

What was proposed

The application sought permission for first-phase site-wide enabling works, including earthworks, drainage, a substation, landscaping, demolition and roads.

“The reserved matters application was for site wide enabling works including formation of development plateaus, earthworks, strategic drainage features, a primary substation, strategic landscaping, and the demolition of existing structures, plus formation of the main spine road within the site with connections to approved access points 1, 2, and 5.”

“Outline planning permission had been approved for a battery manufacturing facility on the site and this application sought consent for the reserved matters in connection with a series of enabling works that were to form the first phase of the development.”

Minutes

The site and its setting

The works formed part of an approved battery manufacturing facility at Coventry Airport and were consistent with the outline development parameters.

“The Committee considered a reserved matters application from Coventry Airport Limited and Coventry City Council for outlined permission W/21/1370 for the development of battery manufacturing facility with ancillary battery recycling capability including landscaping, car parking, access, and associated works.”

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Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the earthworks, drainage, substation and road acceptable, with landscaping acceptable in principle subject to revised plans, and recommended approval.

“The details provided for the earthworks, strategic drainage features, primary substation and the main spine road were all considered acceptable. The strategic landscaping proposals were acceptable in principle, subject to consideration of the latest set of revised landscaping plans. An update would be provided to Members on this matter.”

“The proposals were considered to be in accordance with the Warwick District Local Plan and the Baginton and Bubbenhall Neighbourhood Development Plan policies set out within the report, insofar as those policies related to the scope of the enabling works. The application was therefore recommended for approval.”

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Main planning assessment

The substation would be screened by landscaping and earthworks, while its noise assessment predicted no impact on sensitive receptors about 600 metres away.

“The purpose of this application is to facilitate the early delivery of some important infrastructure. Therefore, given that the substation is likely to come forward in advance of the strategic landscaping and built development mentioned above, it is proposed to provide a large area of grassland around the substation. This grassed area is to form sloping ground that rises up away from the substation, with the levels tying into the surrounding land.”

“The applicant has provided a Noise Impact Assessment to determine whether operational noise associated with the proposed substation would have any impact on existing noise sensitive receptors. The nearest sensitive receptors are approximately 600 metres west of the proposed substation location. The report concludes that no impact is predicted on sensitive receptors.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish councils objected, while ecology and Coventry City Council raised no comments; 33 public objections were received.

“Coventry City Council: The Council has no comments to make on this phase of reserved matters.”

“Public response: 33 objections have been received. A summary of the comments made is provided as follows:”

Officer report

Objections raised

Objections concerned the area’s character, noise, health, contamination, fire, traffic, wildlife, the site’s location and the wider battery manufacturing proposal.

“Proposed siting of the substation means it will be in full view from the road system positioned in direct line to Baginton village • Development out of character for the area • Urban scale industrial facility in a rural village • Impact on green space / rural character / Green Belt • Development will take away from the natural history and environmental setting • Destroying one of the village's most historical landmarks • Baginton is a small village community and the effect…”

“No information on how noise from the substation will be mitigated • Substations produce an ambient sound. Crucial data on the substation has not been provided; without this data it is next to impossible to determine if the size of the substation compound is appropriate, or if mitigations / landscaping to reduce noise impact are appropriate, inappropriate or over-engineered • Noise concerns with the site wide development (operational noise and road noise) • Noise pollution…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Representatives of both parish councils, several objectors, a supporter and two Warwick District councillors addressed the committee.

Committee consideration

Members considered the report, presentation, addendum, revised plans and representations made at the meeting before deciding the application.

“PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES (Continued) 112 An addendum circulated prior to the meeting advised of additional objections, Councillor questions and comments, amended landscaping plans, amended substation plan, and an update to Condition One.”

“Following consideration of the report, presentation, information contained in the addendum, and the representations made at the meeting, it was proposed by Councillor B Gifford and seconded by Councillor Kennedy that the application should be granted.”

Minutes