Solar photovoltaic farm at The Green, Northampton

“Development: Construction of solar photovoltaic (PV) farm, new site access and associated infrastructure (including internal tracks, fencing, CCTV, power stations and distribution network operator (DNO) structure)”

“The application site is located to the north-east of the village of Preston Deanery and approximately 200 metres south of the eastern edge of Brackmills Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Northampton. The site is accessed via an existing field access off The Green, Great Houghton. The site is located at Grid Reference SP792573, with the nearest postcode NN7 2DS.”

“The site comprises part of an arable field situated on the south-facing slope of a shallow valley. The surrounding area is sparsely populated, containing only a small number of farms and associated farm cottages, including those at Preston Lodge Farm. The application site forms a single agricultural field currently in active arable use and extends to approximately 31.65 hectares.”

“There is no planning history directly relevant to the proposal, however a screening opinion that has been produced by the Local Planning Authority.”

“WNS/2022/1399/SCR Screening opinion for proposed solar farm…”

“In reaching this recommendation, officers have carefully considered the proposal against all material planning considerations, including landscape and visual impact, the temporary loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, ecology and biodiversity, heritage, archaeology, highway safety, flood risk, minerals safeguarding and residential amenity.”

“Officers acknowledge that the proposal would result in moderate localised landscape and visual harm together with the temporary loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land. These harms attract moderate weight in the planning balance. However, they are temporary in nature, capable of mitigation and do not give rise to any overriding technical objections from statutory consultees.”

“Consultations The following consultees have raised objections to the application: • Cadent Gas Ltd…”

“The following consultees have raised no objections to the application:”

“The suitability of the roads and the routing of site traffic would have been assessed highways, details were contained at appendix 3 of the highway’s construction management plan • The National Planning Policy Framework encourages the use of lower quality land as opposed to best and most versatile land. The applicant would be reliant on land that could provide a connection to the national grid. There was no impact to the agricultural land.”

“If the solar farm ceased to export electricity Condition 8 requires that a scheme be submitted for the removal and restoration of the site • Condition 22 • Consideration had to be given to Policy ENP6, impact on the landscape, but it had to balanced against the NPPF and the presumption of delivering renewable energy and the location • The current application included a condition to remove and decommission the site at the end of 40 years.”

“Councillor Sally Keeble proposed that the application be approved in accordance with Officer recommendation and with the inclusion of a condition requiring the developer…”

“In reaching its decision, the Committee considered the officer’s report, presentation and the public representations.”

“Resolved: That permission be granted subject to: 1. The conditions in the reports. 2. That a condition be imposed requiring the developer to provide an assessment of roads prior to and after the construction stage with the responsibility for carrying out the reparation work. (with delegated authority to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to amend those conditions as deemed necessary).”