Middle-Bodiniel-Planning-Statement.Pdf
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Development Management Planning and Regeneration Service Strategic Planning Committee Report 4 April 2013 Application number: PA12/09057 Site address: Land at Middle Bodiniel Farm Bodiniel Road, Bodmin Construction of 15.6 ha photovoltaic park with Proposal: attendant equipment and infrastructure Parish: Lanivet Applicant: Solar Securities Group Ltd Target date for decision: 4 April 2013 The size of the application area (15.6 hectares) requires Reason for application the application to be determined by the Strategic being called to Committee: Planning Committee Departure: No Electoral Division: Lanivet Electoral Division Member: Mick Martin CC Case Officer Gavin Smith http://planning.cornwall.gov.uk/online- Link to view documents: applications/simpleSearchResults.do;jsessionid=FDEA2F 34FA8E8FC74BACEB9231A4874E?action=firstPage RECOMMENDATION: Approval Summary: Permission is sought to construct a 5MW solar farm next to an operational solar farm on land nearby to Bodmin. The positive contribution of the scheme to the provision of renewable energy and farm diversification objectives outweighs the negative impact to the surrounding environment on balance. Approval is recommended. Site description: 1. The application site measures approximately 15.6 hectares in area, is used for a mix of arable farming and grazing, is bounded by hedgerows and scattered trees and contains pylons on its southern half. The site is divided into 7 fields and an access road/Public Right of Way separates the northern most field from the remaining land. The site is located on the elevated slopes of a hill; levels fall from a high point of circa 120m above Ordinance Datum (AOD) on the south eastern corner to 100m AOD on the southern-most boundary, 95m AOD on the northern boundary and 112m AOD on the western-most boundary. 2. An operational 5MW photovoltaic solar farm is located to the west of and adjoining the application site at Lower Bodiniel Farm. Woodlands are located to the north, north-west and north-east of the site, a further public footpath is located 350m to the west and the northern edge of Bodmin is only 750m to the south. Proposal: 3. This application seeks full planning permission to install a 15.6. ha photovoltaic solar farm along with attendant equipment and infrastructure. Electricity Generation 4. The electrical generating capacity of the proposal is 5.002MW. Based on the projected electrical consumption of an average Cornish household in 2009, this application would provide the equivalent renewable energy to meet the average daily electricity consumption of 829 local households. Electricity consumption in Cornwall is, on average, higher than the South West and UK and the details below set out the electricity generation capacity of this application with respect to all of the UK as follows: Installed Capacity Estimated annual Number of residential capacity factor 2 output properties electricity (MW) 1 equivalent 4 5.002MW 10.6% 4.68 GWh pa UK – 1071 houses SW – 984 houses Cornwall – 829 houses Notes: 1 Installed capacity is the full-load, continuous rating of generating equipment under specific conditions as designated by the manufacturer. In other words, this is the power generated when the equipment is working at full capacity. 2 Capacity factor is the calculated factor which compares the plant's actual production over a given period of time with the amount of power the plant would have produced if it had run at full capacity for the same amount of time. The capacity factor should take account of the specific equipment and the specific location. It is expressed as a percentage. 3 Estimated annual production of electricity based upon the installed capacity and the capacity factor. 4 Number of residential properties that would be powered by the estimated annual production based upon the U.K. average household consumption of 4,629 KWh/year, the South West England average household consumption of 4,993 KWh/year and the Cornwall average household consumption of 5,869 KWh/year (DECC 2007). The number of U.K., SW and Cornwall household equivalent should be provided in this box. Average electricity consumption in Cornwall is currently greater than the U.K. and SW average and so the number of typical residential properties in Cornwall powered by a particular source would be lower. The Panels 5. The proposal consists of strings of photovoltaic panels on east-west aligned mounting structures inclined towards the south at a fixed angle of 30 degrees. Each panel has a face depth of 3.30m, a lower edge no more than 1m above ground level and a maximum height of 2.7m. The proposed mounting structures are secured into the ground through supporting impact beams that would penetrate to about 3.3m; and this foundation system requires no concrete. Alternatively, the mounting structure would be secured by concrete feet in the event that archaeology is discovered (during construction) or if ground conditions do not allow the ramming of piers directly into the ground. Ancillary Buildings 6. 6 transformer stations are proposed on locations throughout the site and a substation is proposed near to the north-western corner. The transformers each measure 2.65m in height by 2.25m and 2.50m in width and the substation measures 3.471m in height by 6.080m in length and 2.434m in width. Security Fencing 7. A 2.5m high security fence is proposed around the perimeter of the site, inside of the existing boundary hedges. Access 8. Access to the site is proposed via an existing farm entrance on the eastern boundary of the site, directly onto an adjoining road named Copshorn Road. Permanent tracks are proposed from the access point to facilitate access to the transformers and substation. No provision of track is proposed between the panels. Temporary Permission 9. The Applicant is seeking temporary planning permission for a period of 25 years, after which time the solar farm would be completely removed and the land restored to its original condition. 10. Revised Proposal The application has been amended during its processing by removing 2 fields of solar panels from the southern part of the site. This was due to concern expressed by officers and the Town Council with regard to adverse landscape impact when viewed from Bodmin. Relevant constraints: 11. Agricultural Land Classification: GRADE 3b. 12. Area of Great Landscape Value Relevant planning/enforcement history: 13. PA11/01747 – Development of a 5MW photovoltaic solar farm on land at Lower Bodiniel Farm – Approved 6/6/2011. Relevant local/national/regional policy/guidance: 14. International and European • Kyoto Protocol (1997) • The Copenhagen Accord (2010) • The draft European Renewable Energy Directive (2008) 15. National Guidance • UK Climate Change Bill (2008) • The UK Renewable Energy Strategy (2009) (RES) • The Energy White Paper (2003) • The Planning and Energy Act (2008) • National Planning Policy Framework (2012) 16. Local Policy • Emergent Cornwall Local Plan – Policies 14, 15 and 26. • Cornwall Structure Plan (2004) - Polices 1, 2, 3, 7 and 26 • North Cornwall District Local Plan (1999) - Policies DVS1, DVS2, DVS3, ECN7, ENV1, ENV4 and ENV5 17. Other relevant planning guidance • The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Landscape Character Study (2005/2007) • A report, entitled ‘An assessment of the Landscape Sensitivity to On-shore Wind Energy and Large Scale Photovoltaic Development in Cornwall’ (April 2011), • Delivering Community Benefits from Wind Energy Development: A Toolkit Consultations: 18. Where lengthy responses have been received, these have been summarised by the case officer. A full transcript of the consultee comments can be read via the online planning register on Cornwall Council’s website. 19. Bodmin Town Council – Objection Bodmin Town Council does not support this application as the visual impact arising from the scheme is greater than the perceived benefit. The Town Council had serious concerns that the photo montages as provided for phase 1 (PA11/01747) significantly understated the visual impact of this development from the town of Bodmin and the Council is concerned that the photo montages with phase 2 might be similarly unrealistic. If Cornwall Council is minded to support this application Bodmin Town Council would request that the Local Authority puts in place strong conditions to ensure that roads are maintained during construction and during the life of the scheme and that construction transport is appropriate for the size of the roads i.e. does not involve articulated lorries or other heavy transport goods vehicles in minor rural lanes. 20. Helland Parish Council - Comment Helland Parish Council Planning Committee support and recognise the need for a positive strategy for the production of renewable energy. However we would like to submit the following material considerations regarding this application. • The development would be visible from a few properties in the Helland Parish but would have a notable impact on the appearance of the area from much of Bodmin Town. The chosen site is also visible from the public road, bridleway and public footpath in an area of great landscape value. • This application would represent a significant cumulative effect, taken in context with the existing (phase 1) solar development, both in terms of appearance and in displacing wildlife and birds from an area of open countryside. • We note that the comprehensive plans submitted clearly acknowledge the impact on the natural environment and were pleased that two well- advertised public meetings had been held to present the application to local inhabitants. 21. CC Environmental Health and Licensing – No Objection . 22. CC Highway Development Management –Comment This application proposes a second phase of PV equipment adjacent to the earlier array. The application includes a Construction Phase TM plan showing the previously used routes which are acceptable. Please require that the developer contacts the Regional Engineer's staff prior to commencement of the construction works so that an inspection of the highway can be undertaken.