P/2015/0668 Glyn Farm, Van, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6NE PDF
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Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee Report Application No: P/2015/0668 Grid Ref: 293366.42 286362.65 Community Llanidloes Valid Date: Officer: Council: 07/08/2015 Dunya Fourie Applicant: Mr Tudor Jones, Glyn Farm Van Llanidloes sy18 6ne Location: Glyn Farm, Van, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 6NE Proposal: Full: Installation of 1no Wind Turbine (36.6m to tip and 24.8m to hub) equipment cabinet and ancillary development.(grid ref 293366 286362) Application Application for Full Planning Permission Type: Reason for Committee Report The proposed turbine exceeds 24 metres in height. Site Location and Description The propose site is approximately 2.4km north west of Llanidloes, the ground comprises semi improved agricultural land and is accessed off the B4518 heading towards Staylittle. The Clywedog Reservoir is approximately 2.6km north west of the site and Afon Clywedog runs along the valley bottom south west of the sites. The site is within the Clywedog landscape of special historic interest, this area extends to the north and north west of the site too. Glyndwrs way, at its closest point, is approximately 330m north of the site. This application seeks full planning consent for the erection of a single wind turbine. The turbine is 36.6m to blade tip height and is a three blade construction mounted on a single tower, the blade radius is 23.5, the output of the turbine is 85kW. The application also seeks consent for a 225m2 hardstanding area and electrical cabinet. Consultee Response Llanidloes Town Council E mail of 15 September 2015 6 Councillors had No Objection, 2 Councillors Objected and 2 Councillors abstained Llanidloes without Community Council E mail of 3 September 2015 This application was supported as this development will help sustain the viability of the Farm now and in the future. 1 Llandinam Community Council E mail of 28 August 2015 Please be advised that Llandinam Community Council made no comments regarding the above planning application as this development is out of the area Natural Resource Wales Letter of 17 September 2015 Natural Resources Wales brings together the work of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales, as well as some functions of Welsh Government. Our purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, used and enhanced, now and in the future. Natural Resources Wales does not object to the propose development. Landscape: The proposal is located within the Clywedog Valley Landscape of Historic Interest. While this is not a statutory designation, chapter 6 (section 6.5.25) of Planning Policy Wales (PPW) states that information in the Register of Landscapes of Historic interest should be taken into account by local planning authorities in considering the implications of developments which are of such a scale that they would have a more than local impact on an area in the Register. Based on the Landscape and Visual Assessment prepared by Lingard Styles, we consider that there would be the following effects: The siting of the proposed turbine close to the B4518 and within direct views from Glyndwr’s Way would make it a prominent feature of the landscape. Within westerly journeys along the B4518 woodland enclosure gives way to the open field context and site of the proposed wind turbine. The turbine is likely to appear suddenly within views heightening the sense of impact of the development. Landscape integrity and tranquillity would be locally affected. The effect would be experienced by visitors to destinations such as the Clywedog dam and reservoir and those following Glyndwr’s Way national trail. Wind development with such prominence in this location frequented by visitors exploring the area would therefore have a bearing on people’s perceptions of the Clywedog Valley. We consider that these are local effects on the landscape and perceptions of the Clywedog Valley Landscape of Historic Interest. We have considered the proposal in the context of other single wind turbines are present along the edges of the Clywedog Valley, but they are located at some distance from public viewpoints making them a minor component of the landscape, moderating their visual presence and impact. European Protected Species – Bats: 2 The applicant has submitted a preliminary ecological survey and assessment for the purposes of informing the public decision making process (Reference Langton, S. (2015) Ecological Appraisal for a Single Wind Turbine Planning Application: Land at Glyn Farm, Van, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18 7NE. One Planet Works RA-003-210515). We note that the ecological report identifies the habitat suitability for bats as being of ‘medium interest’ and recommends that further surveys are carried out for bats. However, in this case, we consider the proposal is unlikely to be detrimental to the maintenance of the Favourable Conservation Status of any bat populations present in the environs of the application site due to the following; The turbine is to be located over 50m from bat habitats including hedgerows/other linear features and woodland; (2) NRW has no records of high risk species in the vicinity of the application site; and (3) The ecological submission identifies that the habitat within the vicinity of the turbine is of medium interest for bats We are therefore satisfied in this instance that no further surveys are required to inform the decision making process. Should the location of the proposed survey be revised, NRW would wish to be re-consulted. Biosecurity: NRW consider biosecurity to be a material consideration in respect of this proposal. In this case, biosecurity issues concern invasive non-native species (INNS) and diseases. We therefore advise that any consent includes the imposition of a condition requiring the submission and implementation of a Biosecurity Risk Assessment to the satisfaction of the LPA. We consider that this assessment must include the following detail; (i) Identification of appropriate measures to control any INNS on site; and Identification of measures or actions that aim to prevent INNS being introduced to the site for the duration of development and restoration. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act (2006): Please note that we have not considered possible effects on all species and habitats listed in section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006, or on the Local Biodiversity Action Plan or other local natural heritage interests. To comply with your authority's duty under section 40 of the NERC Act, to have regard to conserving biodiversity, your decision should take account of possible adverse effects on such interests. We recommend that you seek further advice from your authority's internal ecological adviser and/or nature conservation organisations such as the local Wildlife Trust, RSPB, etc. The Wales Biodiversity Partnership's web site has guidance for assessing proposals that have implications for section 42 habitats and species (www.biodiversitywales.org.uk). 3 To conclude, in our opinion, the development as proposed in its current form is not likely to have an adverse effect on the interests listed above and therefore NRW does not object to the proposal. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust E mail of 19 August 2015 We note the included archaeological assessment report and the conclusion that there are no direct or indirect impacts arising from this scheme. We would therefore have no objection to the proposed turbine at this location. CADW Letter of 4 September 2015 Cadw’s role in the planning process is to provide the local planning authority with an assessment concerned with the likely impact that the proposal will have on scheduled monuments or registered historic parks and gardens. It is a matter for the local planning authority to then weigh Cadw’s assessment against all the other material considerations in determining whether to approve planning permission, including issues concerned with listed buildings and conservation areas. The proposed development is located within the vicinity of the following historic assets: Scheduled Ancient Monuments: MG020 Dinas Camp MG031 Pen y Clun Camp MG082 Pen y Castell MG085 Pen-y-Gaer Camp MG159 Bryntail Lead Mine MG235 Dolgwden Enclosure MG246 Penyclun Lead Mine MG020 Dinas Camp, MG031 Pen y Clun Camp, MG082 Pen y Castel, MG085 Pen-y-Gaer Camp and MG235 Dolgwden Enclosure are all Iron Age hillforts. In general their location on prominent high hills gives 360 degree views and they were positioned to control the surrounding area, especially valleys and trade routes. Intervisibility between hillforts may have been a factor in their location although due to a lack of systematic investigation it is difficult to know if hill forts were contemporarily occupied. MG020 Dinas Camp is located on a high spur jutting into the Afon Clywedog Valley some 3.6km to the northwest of the proposed wind turbine. It was located to control the upper part of the, now flooded Afon Clywedog valley. In views to the southeast along the valley and towards MG031 the turbine will be visible in background but this will have a very low impact on the setting of this designated monument. MG031 Pen y Clun Camp is located on a ridge between the source of the Afon Cerist and the Afon Clywedog valley some 1.2 km to the northwest of the proposed wind turbine. The significant views are therefore eastwards along the Afon Cerist Valley and south towards the Afon Clywedog Valley. The proposed turbine will not be in any of these views, but it will be 4 visible in views to the southeast; however the topography will block the view to the turbine column leaving only the hub and upper blade sweep visible, as such in Cadw’s opinion this will have a low very impact on the setting of this designated monument.