Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 19th November 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 19th November 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members, declarations as to disclosable pecuniary or other interests in relation to any Agenda Item.

Councillor R J West declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No. 46 (b) having given advice to Southoe and Midloe Parish Council in his role as County Councillor for Buckden, Gransden and The Offords.

Councillor P L E Bucknell declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No. 46 (c) by virtue of an association with the applicant and chose not to participate in debate or vote on the application. 

Councillor P L E Bucknell declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute No. 46 (d) as the local District Ward Councillor but confirmed that he had no association with the applicant.

Councillors N J Guyatt, P D Reeve and R J West declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No. 46 (d) by virtue of their membership of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Councillor D B Dew declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute No 46(g) by virtue of an association with the applicant. 

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Policy).

(A copy of the draft SPD is enclosed for Members of the Panel only.)

(The Chairman acknowledged receipt of an e-mail sent to the Panel containing the views of Councillor R B Howe on the draft SPD.)

A report by the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) requesting the Panel’s views, as a consultee, on the content of the Draft SPD:  Landscape Sensitivity to Wind Turbine Development.  A copy of the Draft SPD also is appended in the Minute Book.

Bearing in mind, the disparate views held by Members on wind farm development, the Chairman encouraged the Panel to respond individually to the consultation and suggested that, notwithstanding Members’ views, the Panel would determine future applications in accordance with the new guidance ultimately adopted by the Council.

In introducing the document, the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy acknowledged that the subject of wind turbine development evoked varied emotions but it was important to update the Council’s current guidance to take account of the National Planning Policy Framework and the evolving assessment of landscape sensitivity to development.  It was anticipated that extensive representations would be made in response to publication of the Draft SPD by the deadline of 4th January 2013 although it was made clear that submissions after this date also would be considered.

The Panel acknowledged that the 2006 SPD required updating and in response to a question from a Member, it was understood that the new draft guidance would refer specifically to the Great Fen and Paxton Pits.  It also was noted that a companion document might be produced, in due course, to offer guidance on the development of large scale solar farms.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, having indicated their support for the work being undertaken to revise the 2006 wind power SPD and their intention to apply the adopted new SPD in the determination of future applications, Panel Members be encouraged to respond individually to the consultation exercise on the Draft SPD:  Landscape Sensitivity to Wind Turbine Development.

The Planning Service Manager (Development Management) submitted reports (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) on applications for development to be determined by the Panel and advised Members of further representations (details of which also are appended in the Minute Book) which had been received in connection therewith since the reports had been prepared.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  Porch Extension, 136 Ramsey Road, St. Ives – 12/01595/FUL

  that the application be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy to include 02003 – time limit (3 years) and 05003 – extension to match.

  (b)  Erection of three wind turbines up to a height of 125 metres and associated development, including meteorological mast, control building, electricity transformers, underground cabling, track, crane hardstandings and alterations to vehicular access, for a period of 25 years, land north west of Church Farm, Rectory Lane, Southoe – 12/00803/FUL

  (See Minute No 44 for Members’ interests.)

  (Councillor R Saw, Southoe and Midloe Parish Council, Mr D Felce (SCBWFA), objector, Mr A Marnes, supporter and Ms H Ide on behalf of the agent, addressed the Panel on the application.)

  that, having regard to the appeal against non-determination of the application, the Planning Inspectorate be advised that the Local Planning Authority would have been minded to refuse the application for the following reasons –

(i)  the development is unacceptable on highway safety grounds unless and until the Highways Agency removes its direction that planning permission shall not be granted (in which case this reason would be retracted);

  (ii)  the impact on the amenity of the occupiers of Church Farm Cottages and Church Farm House is unacceptable unless and until the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy in consultation with the Environmental Health Officer is satisfied that the extent of financial involvement of the occupiers is sufficient to offset the noise levels (in which case this reason would be retracted);

  (iii)  it has not been demonstrated that the impact of the development on archaeological assets is outweighed by the benefits of the renewable energy that will be generated unless and until the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy is satisfied that investigation clearly identifies the impact on these assets and concludes that the benefits of the renewable energy that will be generated outweighs this harm (in which case this reason would be retracted); and

  (iv)  that the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy be requested, after consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Panel to draft an additional reason for refusal relating to the proximity of the proposed turbines to the adjacent rights of way/bridleway which could not be overcome by mitigation measures. 

  (This resolution was approved unanimously by the Panel).

  At 9.30pm the meeting was adjourned.

  Upon resumption at 9.35pm.

  (c)  Proposed agricultural improvements (removal of disused railway embankment) including the importation of soil via access road and improved junction onto the B1086 (previously approved), land at Park Farm, St. Ives Road, Somersham – 12/01309/FUL

  (i  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

The Planning Service Manager (Development Management) reported on the outcome of four appeals against refusal of planning permission by the District Council (a copy of the report and a summary of the cases with wider implications for the planning process are appended in the Minute Book).