P/2015/0899 Land at Ty Isaf, Bont Dolgadfan, Llanbrynmair, Powys
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Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee Report Application No: P/2015/0899 Grid Ref: 287132.8 298358.2 Community Llanbrynmair Valid Date: Officer: Council: 24/09/2015 Dunya Fourie Applicant: Mr Aled Jarman Ty Isaf, Bont Dolgadfan, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7BQ Location: Land at Ty Isaf, Bont Dolgadfan, Llanbrynmair, Powys, SY19 7BQ Proposal: Installation of a wind turbine (blade tip height 41.3 m and hub height 29.5 m) at grid ref: 287138 / 298383 and all associated works Application Application for Full Planning Permission Type: Site Location and Description The site is located approximately 2.3km south of Bont Dolgadfan and approximately 1.5km north west of Pennant. There is no direct road access to the site, however the site can be accessed via existing farm tracks off the B4518. The surrounding area comprises upland moor and agricultural land, overlooking riverine valleys. Apart from the applicant’s own property, the nearest unassisted dwelling is Cawg, approximately 500m to the east. Bron-derwgoed approximately 870m north of the site, this property is also a Grade II listed building. The barn at the rear of Minfordd Cottages is also Grade II listed and is approximately 1.1km north east of the site. The closest scheduled ancient monument (Moelfre round barrow) is approximately 2.3km west of the site. The closest SSSI (Mwyngloddfa Ceulan) is approximately 1.9km south west of the site This application seeks full planning consent to erect a single wind turbine, the dimensions of the turbine comprise a blade tip height of 41.3m, a hub height of 29.5m and is predicted to produce 100kw of energy. The proposal also includes a small enclosure measuring approximately 6m2 with a building to house a transformer, associated switch gear and electrical protection equipment. The proposal also includes a temporary crane pad (400m2). A proposal for a new access track has previously been submitted which confirmed that prior approval is not required. This track will be utilised to access the turbine site. Consultee Response Carno Community Council Letter of 21 October 2015 No objection with comments Environmental Health E maiil of 15 October 2015 Having read the application and visited the site I have no objection to this application subject to conditions. Page 1 The application demonstrates that noise levels at the 3 closest dwellings is below the simplified methodology level within ETSu-R-97 and therefore subject to the report representing an accurate identification of the closest dwellings there should not be cause for objection on grounds of noise. The applicant has not undertaken a cumulative noise impact assessment and subject to their not being any consented turbines within a 1km radius of the site then I would recommend that the noise condition within the developers guide be attached to any consent granted. Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust E mail of 12 October 2015 We note the contents of the supporting archaeological appraisal report by the Trysor consultants. This report highlights a number of direct impacts to boundary banks on the hillside immediately adjacent to the turbine. The boundary banks are possibly part of a post medieval field enclosure system in this upland area although their precise date is unknown. In section 11 of the archaeological report it is recommended that the banks are examined in further detail as a condition of consent and we would agree with this advice. Consequently I have included a condition below which will allow the investigative trenching suggested in 11.1.2, 11.2.1, and 11.2.2 of the report to be taken forward by an archaeological contractor engaged by the developer. The condition would be: No development shall take place within the application area until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation, which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The archaeological programme of work will be undertaken and completed in accordance with the relevant Standards and Guidance laid down by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. A copy of the resulting report should be submitted to the Local Planning Authority and the Development Control Archaeologist, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (41 Broad Street, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7RR Email: [email protected] Tel: 01938 553670). After approval by the Local Planning Authority, a copy of the report and resulting archive should also be sent to the Historic Environment Record Officer, Clwyd- Powys Archaeological Trust for inclusion in the regional Historic Environment Record. Built Heritage No response reveived. CADW Letter of 28 October 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 Page 2 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 scheduled monument known as Moelfre Round Barrow (MG311). Having carefully considered the information provided with the planning application, Cadw considers that the proposed development will only have a limited impact on the aforementioned designated historic asset. Cadw therefore has no comments to make on the proposed development. Natural Resource Wales Letter of 26 October 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 proposal. In our opinion, as explained below, the proposal is not likely to adversely affect any of the interests listed. Landscape The proposed turbine 41.3m high to rotor tip is at sufficient distance from the Snowdonia National Park (12km) and the Clywedog Valley landscape of Special Historic Interest (3.6km) that we consider it is unlikely to introduce significant visual effects upon these landscapes singularly, or in combination with other consented and operational wind development in the area. NRW therefore do not object to the proposal. European Protected Species – Bats The applicant has submitted a Bat Survey Report to inform the public decision making process. Reference: Vaughan, D (2015). Bat Survey Report: Ty Isaf Farm, Llanbrynmair SY19 7BQ. Biodiversity Solutions. Unpublished. Natural Resources Wales agree with the report’s conclusions in section 8. Nesting Birds The applicant has submitted an ecological appraisal to inform the public decision making process. Reference: Langdon, S. (2015). Phase 1 Ecology Report: Ty Isaf Farm, Llanbrynmair SY19 7BQ. Biodiversity Solutions. Unpublished. Natural Resources Wales agrees with the conclusion and recommendations in section 5 of the report. 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 Page 3 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). To conclude, Natural Resources Wales does not object to the proposal. In our opinion, as explained below, the proposal is not likely to adversely affect any of the interests listed. Powys County Council Ecologist E mail of 14 October 2015 Page 4 Page 5 Highway Authority E mail of 16 October 2015 The HA has no objection in principle to the development, however the private access serving the proposal off the B4518 has very limited visibility to the south and will need to be improved accordingly. In addition, the highway network serving the site which have structures placed upon them will need to be verified before any AIL (Crane movements) take place. It is my understanding that the land to the south of the private access to be used to service the site is within the applicants control and as such I have conditioned accordingly. Please confirm that this is acceptable to you. Page 6 Please apply the following conditions:- “Prior to any works commencing on site a transportation route for the delivery of the wind turbine components and vehicle cranes shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA.” HC4 Within 5 days from the commencement of the development the access shall be constructed so that there is clear visibility from a point 1.05 metres above ground level at the centre of the access and 2.4 metres distant from the edge of the adjoining carriageway, to points 0.26 metres above ground level at the edge of the adjoining carriageway and 25 metres distant in a southerly direction measured from the centre of the access along the edge of the adjoining carriageway and 10 metres distant from the edge of the adjoining carriageway and 10 metres in a southerly direction. Nothing shall be planted, erected or allowed to grow on the areas of land so formed that would obstruct the visibility and the visibility shall be maintained free from obstruction for as long as the development hereby permitted remains in existence.