Land West of Boothby Great Wood and East of , Woodnook

Installation of a ground mounted solar farm and associated infrastructure

Planning Statement

July 2015 Land West of Boothby Great Wood and East of High Dyke, Woodnook Planning Statement

Issue Sheet

Report Prepared for: IGP Solar Plant Number 4 Limited

Land West of Boothby Great Wood and East of High Dyke, Woodnook

Planning Statement

June 2015

Prepared by: Signature:

Name: Jane Hunting

Title: Senior Planner (MRTPI)

Date: July 2015

Approved by: Signature:

Name: Ian Douglass

Title: Head of Planning Date: July 2015

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 2

2 SITE CONTEXT AND EXISTING USE 3

3 THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL 5

4 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT 8

4.2 CLIMATE CHANGE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY GUIDANCE 8 4.3 NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY 9 4.4 THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 10

5 PLANNING ASSESSMENT 12

5.1 THE PRINCIPLE OF DEVELOPMENT 12 5.2 LANDSCAPE 13 5.3 HERITAGE 14 5.4 ECOLOGY 15 5.5 TRAFFIC 15 5.6 DRAINAGE AND FLOODING 16

6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 17

Land West of Boothby Great Wood and East of High Dyke, Woodnook Planning Statement

1 Introduction 1.1.1 This planning statement supports a full planning application for the proposed development of a 5 Mega Watt (MW) ground mounted solar farm which will cover an area of 15.84 hectares at land east of High Dyke, Woodnook. The development includes associated infrastructure namely inverters, transformers and a DNO cabinet and control room. 1.1.2 This supporting statement addresses the Development Plan and material planning considerations. Consequently this application is supported with the following documents: • Design and Access Statement;

• Alternative Site Selection Report;

• Construction Access Statement;

• Ecological Survey;

• Archaeological Desk Based Assessment;

• Geophysical Survey;

• Agricultural Land Classification;

• Flood Risk Assessment; and

• Statement of Community Involvement.

1.1.3 The application has been subject to pre-application advice from District Council development control and other statutory consultees. The supporting statement should be read in conjunction with the relevant plans and elevations of the proposed development, namely: Site Location Map General Site Plan Camera Detail SK-02/ P1 Site Location and Traffic Routing Plan CL-100/P1 General Arrangement of Site Access Junction Fence and Gate Details Inverter Cabin Detail DNO Cabinet and Control Room Detail

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2 Site Context and Existing Use 2.1.1 The application site (the site) covers an area of approximately 15.84 hectares (39.14 acres) and is located south east of Woodnook and west of Boothby Great Wood. The site is shown edged red as shown on Figure 1 below. The site is located within parish but is adjacent to Boothby Pagnell and and Stroxton parishes. 2.1.2 The proposed site comprises three agricultural fields. The site is bounded by Boothby Great Wood to the east and south east with agricultural fields to all other boundaries. 2.1.3 The topography of the site is generally flat with a slight slope down from the entrance to the centre of the site and then rises slightly towards the northeast and north corner of the subject site. There is well established natural vegetation around the site, with the boundaries being made up of a mix of hedgerows with scattered trees. The boundaries between the fields are also made up of hedgerows. The site does not have Public Rights of Way (PROW) or bridleways crossing it. The site is accessed from Hell Lane which leads off High Dyke (B6403).

Figure 1 Aerial view of site location 2.1.4 The site is within flood zone 1 as identified on the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk maps. The site is not located within a groundwater source protection area. 2.1.5 The site is located approximately 2.4km west of the A1 and the mainline railway ( to ) is situated between the A1 and the site, approximately 1.5 km west of the site. 2.1.6 The site is not within a protected area or designated site in regard to nature conservation. The site does not accommodate any listed buildings. There are a number of listed buildings within 2km of the site. All of these are Grade II with the exception of the Church of St Andrew and Boothby Manor House in Boothby Pagnell and the Church of the Holy Cross in Great Ponton which are Grade I. The Barn at Church Farm and The Old Rectory Wall and Garden are Grade II* in Great Ponton.

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2.1.7 The nearest Scheduled Monument (SAM) is within Boothby Pagnell and is located at Boothby Pagnell Manor where there is a 12 century Norman Manor House. The other SAM in Boothby Pagnell is the Round Hills earthwork which is approximately 3.9 km south east of the site. 2.1.8 The nearest Conservation Area is within Grantham Town Centre which is approximately 5.1 km north west of the application site. 2.1.9 There are two nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Woodnook Valley and Kirton Wood, Woodnook Valley is approximately 1.4 km north wet of the site and Kirton Wood is approximately 3.1 km north east. 2.1.10 Currently the land is in arable production and grows a crop of wheat. The land is classified as being majority 3b agricultural grade land (92.8%) with a small portion of grade 3a (7.2%). The grade 3a land comprises a thin strip which runs diagonally from the western boundary to the southern boundary. This grading has been confirmed by an independent evaluation which has been carried out by ADAS UK Ltd and accompanies this planning application. This has been carried out in accordance with the guidance of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).

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3 The Development Proposal 3.1.1 Detail on the design principles of the development can be found within the Design and Access Statement. The proposed development details can be found within the application plans. The proposed access layout is shown on Drawing No CL-100/P1. Landscaping proposals are shown on Landscape Proposals Plan drawing no. 001.

Solar Panels 3.1.2 The solar pv panels proposed are a standard polycrystalline type which are intended for the daylight levels at this site. The installation is free draining through perimeter gaps around all panels and dispersed rainwater runoff. The proposal comprises the installation of approximately 19,584 photovoltaic (PV) panels laid out in arrays of rows running from east to west across the site. Each panel is approximately 980mm x 992mm which are mounted in landscape orientation arranged in a 2 x 12 panel module formation. The height of the panels will be at a maximum of 2.7 meters. 3.1.3 The mounting structure for the panels is a metal frame securely fixed to the ground. It must be capable of withstanding appropriate environmental stresses for the location, such as wind or snow loading. The solar park will consist of a fixed structure as opposed to a ‘tracking’ structure, which would follow the movements of the sun. The structure may also provide a route for electrical wiring. 3.1.4 The mounting posts will be pile-driven approximately 1.8 metres into the ground for support, dependent on ground conditions and will easily be retrieved using similar hydraulic equipment when the solar farm is decommissioned and the land reinstated back to agricultural land. Such supporting systems are designed to avoid the use of mass concrete foundations on site. There will be one area which will require some of the frames to be mounted onto pre-cast concrete anchors where there is a need to avoid ground disturbance due to there being areas of archaeological interest. 3.1.5 The solar panels will then be installed at 35° from the horizontal and faced in a southerly direction. The rows will be approximately 7.5 metres apart, again in order to optimise solar collection per unit land area. 3.1.6 The solar farm is likely to be connected into the grid on the existing pole which is located on Ponton Road south east of Great Wood Farm. This is the current preferred option. 3.1.7 The development will also require the installation of associated infrastructure required for the running of a solar farm. 3.1.8 The cabinets accommodate the inverter, transformer and associated equipment to convert DC energy produced by the arrays, into AC energy required by the national grid. There are proposed to be 4 inverters enclosed in cabinets. The locations of these are shown on the proposed site layout plan. The approximate size and elevations of these are shown in the technical drawings submitted with the application. There will also be a need for one DNO cabinet and control room on site. These are both proposed to be located at the entrance to the site from Hell Lane. 3.1.9 The site perimeter will be made secure by the construction of a 2m high security fence around the site boundaries. This will be constructed using wooden posts and wire mesh. Additional planting will be introduced for screening purposes where necessary. 3.1.10 The installation of CCTV will also be required onsite for insurance purposes. There will be 27 cameras located within the application site. The use of CCTV has enabled the perimeter security fencing to be kept to a minimum. The CCTV will be capable of viewing the solar pv farm only (without panning angles beyond). No floodlighting will be used as the CCTV cameras detect movement and have night vision capability in accordance with insurer's requirements. These will allow for constant monitoring, but will be positioned in such a way to prevent areas outside

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the site being monitored. The CCTV camera poles, which would have a maximum height of 2.5m, will be constructed in galvanised steel. As much of the equipment as possible will be colour coordinated with the landscape by using equipment, where possible, that is green in colour. Site Access 3.1.11 The site will be accessed from the B6403 via Hell Lane which is the existing farm access point. Access into the site will be from the south western corner of the site. HGV’s will be allowed to access the site, deliver the materials and exit the site, all in forward gear. From this point the equipment will be moved to a temporary storage compound. Overall, construction is expected to extend over 3 months on site and on completion of the installation, the construction compound will be restored to grass. 3.1.12 It is anticipated that deliveries into the construction site will be concentrated during the construction period which will cover a 3 month period. There is likely to be 16-20 container shipments to and from site per MW. On this site there is likely to be approximately 80-100 deliveries to the site during the 3 month period. 3.1.13 The route which construction traffic would take is to exit the A1 (from the South) at the B1174 junction towards Grantham. Then vehicles will then join the A52 in Grantham and follow it eastwards to the B6403. This route largely follows existing routes used by HGV’s. Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) 3.1.14 To ensure the potential construction impacts are minimised, the preparation of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) is proposed prior to construction to ensure any potential impacts are minimised. The CEMP would outline the allocated responsibilities, procedures and requirements for site environmental management. It would include relevant site specific method statements, operating practices, and arrangements for monitoring and liaison with local authorities and stakeholders. 3.1.15 The Main Contractors undertaking the construction of the development would need to adopt and comply with the CEMP, allocate environmental management responsibilities to a site manager and ensure that all sub-contractors activities are effectively managed in accordance with the CEMP. Operation & Maintenance 3.1.16 Once the solar farm is operational, traffic generated by it will be limited to that associated with occasional maintenance work. 3.1.17 Movement within the site will be by way of quad bike or small, farm utility vehicle. The Electricity Board will visit the site from time to time to check the apparatus. No on-site staff will be required to operate the solar farm and no staff offices or maintenance buildings needed within or near to the site. Some permanent equipment for monitoring the site will be held in one of the transformer enclosures and/or grid connection cabinet. Whilst this would typically be accessed remotely, it would be available for occasional physical access during routine visits. 3.1.18 The land between each row of cells and on the fringes of the site will be seeded with a wildflower mix in strategic locations. 3.1.19 Noise impact is limited to the construction phase of the development, there would be minor impacts generated by the vehicle movements across the site coupled with the installation of equipment. 3.1.20 Once operational, the inverters which accompany the scheme may generate additional background noise levels; however, noise will be mitigated as any operational plant is enclosed. The nearest property to the solar farm are Poplar Farm to the north which is approximately 350m from the nearest inverter. The sound pressure level at 1m from the inverter is <79dB(A), at the boundary of Poplar Farm it would reduce to no more than 28dB(A). The specification sheet of the inverters are included within this application. The arrays will be fixed and as such will not generate any noise.

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Decommissioning 3.1.21 The scheme has been designed to have the lightest possible impact on the land in terms of structural loading. At the end of the 25 year period the structure, including all ancillary equipment and cabling, would be carefully dismantled and removed from the site. Materials would be reused or taken to an appropriate location for recycling or disposal. The site would be reinstated for full agriculture use.

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4 Planning Policy Context 4.1.1 Under Section 38 of The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (‘The 2004 Act’), the determination of planning applications must be in accordance with the approved development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. This chapter identifies the national and local planning policies that provide the framework in which this application has been made. This chapter also summaries the relevant Government legislation, energy policies and targets which support development of renewable energy proposals. 4.2 Climate Change and Renewable Energy Guidance 4.2.1 The Climate Change Act was passed in 2008 and established a framework to develop an economically credible emissions reduction path. It became the world’s first legally binding climate change target. It also strengthened the UK’s leadership internationally by highlighting the role it would take in contributing to urgent collective action to tackle climate change under the Kyoto Protocol. 4.2.2 The act commits the UK to reducing emissions by at least 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels. This target was based on advice from the CCC report: Building a Low-carbon Economy. The 80% target includes GHG emissions from the devolved administrations, which currently accounts for around 20% of the UK’s total emissions. 4.2.3 In October 2013 the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published the UK Solar PV Strategy Part 1: Roadmap to a Brighter Future. This sets out 4 guiding principles for solar PV with the third principle being the most relevant to planning which states that “Support for solar PV should ensure proposals are appropriately sited, give proper weight to environmental considerations such as landscape and visual impact, heritage and local amenity, and provide opportunities for local communities to influence decisions that affect them.” 4.2.4 In April 2014 a second document was published which was the UK Solar PV Strategy Part 2: Delivering a Brighter Future. This document states that solar energy is the most supported renewable energy and they want it to stay that way. While large-scale solar farms provide opportunities for greater generation, they can have a negative impact on the rural environment if not well-planned and well-screened. There can also be problems where local communities see no benefit but consider that they bear amenity issues. The Solar Trade Association has developed a statement of “10 Commitments” for solar farm developers (which the DECC support) which seeks to ensure that the impact of large-scale solar farms on communities, visual impact and long-term land use are minimised. These are: 1. We will focus on non-agricultural land or land which is of lower agricultural quality.

2. We will be sensitive to nationally and locally protected landscapes and nature conservation areas, and we welcome opportunities to enhance the ecological value of the land.

3. We will minimise visual impact where possible and maintain appropriate screening throughout the lifetime of the project managed through a Land Management and/or Ecology plan.

4. We will engage with the community in advance of submitting a planning application.

5. We will encourage land diversification by proposing continued agricultural use or incorporating biodiversity measures within our projects.

6. We will do as much buying and employing locally as possible.

7. We will act considerately during construction, and demonstrate ‘solar stewardship’ of the land for the lifetime of the project.

8. We will seek the support of the local community and listen to their views and suggestions.

9. We commit to using the solar farm as an educational opportunity, where appropriate.

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10. The end of the project life we will return the land to its former use.

4.2.5 A speech made by the Minister for Energy and Climate Change on the 25th April 2013 emphasised that large-scale ground mounted solar farms should focus upon buildings and brownfield land in preference to greenfield land. Where solar farms are not on brownfield land, developers were encouraged to use low grade agricultural land which allows grazing in parallel with energy generation. In addition the need for well thought out visual screening was emphasised. 4.2.6 There was a subsequent planning update issued on the 25th March 2015 which reiterated the importance of encouraging the use of brownfield land, and announcing new permitted development rights for large solar arrays on commercial rooftops. It also emphasised the importance of landscape and heritage protections in the NPPF and clarified the need to avoid the use of high quality agricultural land for large scale solar farms. In doing so the Minister confirmed that this refers to best and most versatile land i.e grades 1-3a stating that “In light of these concerns we want it to be clear that any proposal for a solar farm involving the best and most versatile agricultural land would need to be justified by the most compelling evidence.” This must be considered alongside the substantive support for renewable energy schemes advocated by the NPPF as set out below. 4.3 National Planning Policy 4.3.1 National planning policy is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which was published in March 2012. This provides a framework within which regional and local policy is set. The publication of the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) in March 2014 gives further guidance. 4.3.2 The NPPF has a presumption in favour of sustainable development which should be seen as a golden thread running through plan-making and decision -taking. 4.3.3 Paragraph 17 identifies the core planning principles which should under-pin both plan making and decision taking. One of these principles includes supporting the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate…including encouraging the use of renewable resources (for example, by the development of renewable energy). 4.3.4 Paragraphs 93-98 set out the Governments planning policy on renewable energy. Paragraph 93 states that: “Planning plays a key role in helping shape places to secure radical reductions in greenhouse gas emission, minimising vulnerability and providing resilience to the impacts of climate change, and supporting the delivery of renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure.” 4.3.5 Paragraph 97 stresses the importance on local communities to recognise their responsibility to contribute to energy generation. It states: “To help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbon energy, local planning authorities should recognise the responsibility on all communities to contribute to energy generation from renewable or low carbon sources.” 4.3.6 Paragraph 98 states that applicants should not be required to demonstrate the need for renewable or low carbon energy. It also requires local planning authorities to approve the application (unless material considerations indicate otherwise) if its impacts are (or can be made) acceptable. 4.3.7 Paragraph 111 encourages the effective re-use of brownfield land (provided it is not of high environmental quality). Paragraph 112 discusses the use of agricultural land. It states that: “Local Planning Authorities should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”.

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4.3.8 The Governments Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) which was published in March 2014 and further updated in March 2015, provides further guidance on renewable energy and in particular on large scale ground mounted solar farms. Paragraph ID 5-013 states that: “The deployment of large-scale solar farms can have a negative impact on the rural environment, particularly in undulating landscapes. However, the visual impact of a well- planned and well-screened solar farm can be properly addressed within the landscape if planned sensitively.” 4.3.9 It acknowledges that the site selection of any large scale solar farms should be carefully considered “where a proposal involves greenfield land, whether (i) the proposed use of any agricultural land has been shown to be necessary and poorer quality land has been used in preference to higher quality land; and (ii) the proposal allows for continued agricultural use where applicable and/or encourages biodiversity improvements around arrays.” 4.3.10 It states that “in the case of ground-mounted solar panels it should be noted that with effective screening and appropriate land topography the area of a zone of visual influence could be zero”. 4.4 The Development Plan 4.4.1 Policies in the South Kesteven Local Plan (1995) have been saved by the Secretary of State and remain part of the Development Plan but none of the saved policies are relevant to the development subject to this planning application. 4.4.2 South Kesteven are in the process of adopting their new Local Plan which will cover the period of 2011-2036. Currently the Development Plan consists of the saved policies of Local Plan (1995), Site Allocation and Policies DPD (2014) and Core Strategy (2010). South Kesteven Core Strategy (2010) 4.4.3 The site is located outside of any development boundaries and so is considered to be within the open countryside and is not covered by any other designations. The policies which are considered of particular relevance to this proposal for a ground mounted solar farm are: • Objective 14 - To promote the prudent use of finite resources and the positive use of renewable resources, through the design, location and layout of development and by optimising the use of existing infrastructure.

• SP1 Spatial Strategy - In all other villages and the countryside development will be restricted. Proposals will only be considered acceptable if they are sites for:

A. affordable housing (rural exception or allocated sites)

B. agriculture, forestry or equine development

C. rural diversification projects

D. local services & facilities

E. replacement buildings (on a like for like basis); or

F. conversions of buildings provided that the existing building(s).

• EN1 Protection and Enhancement of the Character of the District - South Kesteven's Landscape Character Areas are identified on the map [following paragraph 4.1.10]. Development must be appropriate to the character and significant natural, historic and cultural attributes and features of the landscape within which it is situated, and contribute to its conservation, enhancement or restoration.

All development proposals and site allocations will be assessed in relation to:

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1. statutory, national and local designations of landscape features, including natural and historic assets 2. local distinctiveness and sense of place 3. historic character, patterns and attributes of the landscape 4. the layout and scale of buildings and designed spaces 5. the quality and character of the built fabric and their settings 6. the condition of the landscape 7. biodiversity and ecological networks within the landscape 8. public access to and community value of the landscape 9. remoteness and tranquillity 10. visual intrusion 11. noise and light pollution 12. Conservation Area Appraisals and Village Design Statements, where these have been adopted by the Council 13. impact on controlled waters 14. protection of existing open space (including allotments and public open space, and open spaces important to the character, setting and separation of built-up areas)

• EN3 Renewable Energy Generation - The District Council will grant planning permission for proposals to generate energy from renewable sources, subject to the proposals according with the other Core Strategy policies, national guidance and complying with the following criteria:

The proposal can be connected efficiently to existing national grid infrastructure, unless it can be demonstrated that energy generation would be used on-site to meet the needs of a specific end user. The proposal should make provision for: the mitigation of the real emissions/impacts arising from the installation of the renewable energy generation the removal of the facilities and reinstatement of the site, should the facilities cease to be operational.

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5 Planning Assessment 5.1 The Principle of Development Renewable Energy 5.1.1 In line with the Climate Change Act 2008 the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets a presumption in favour of sustainable development. Paragraph 17 of the National Planning Policy Framework identifies the Core Planning Principles these include supporting the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate including encouraging the use of renewable resources as well as the need to recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. 5.1.2 Paragraphs 93-98 of the NPPF sets out the government’s planning policy on renewable energy. Paragraph 93 makes it clear that it plays a key role in the delivery of renewable and low carbon energy which is central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. 5.1.3 Paragraphs 97 and 98 of the NPPF are supportive of renewable energy subject to the impacts being acceptable, it states “that local planning authorities should recognise all communities should contribute to energy generation from renewable energy or low carbon sources”. The NPPF does not require a need to be demonstrated for the type of schemes subject of this application. The Framework also states that applications should be approved unless material considerations indicate otherwise if the impacts are or can be made acceptable. It is the applicant’s view, as established through the application process (as described further below) and consideration of alternative sites, that the impacts are acceptable, and as such the NPPF is a significant material consideration that weighs in favour of the application. 5.1.4 Local Plan Policy EN3 states that renewable energy proposals should be approved provided it meets the following criteria which includes have an efficient connection to the existing grid. The applicant has established a viable connection point through Western Power Distribution who are the Distribution Network Operator in this area. This point of connection is to the 33kV overhead line (OHL) which runs for 10.2km between Easton Tee and Easton Primary Substation which has sufficient capacity to accommodate a 5MW solar farm. The point of connection has been identified to be a pole which is located on Ponton Road, south east of Great Farm. 5.1.5 It is the applicants view that in regard to policies EN3, harm does not arise, as a consequence of the development, and with particular regard to visual impacts, pollution, noise, traffic, landscape, nature conservation, agricultural land and amenity (as established through the Alternatives Sites Report). As such the application is in accordance with this development plan policies. Development in the Open Countryside and loss of agricultural land 5.1.6 The site is located within an area designated as countryside in the local plan. Paragraph 111 of the NPPF encourages the use of “previously developed land (brownfield land), provided it is not of high environmental value”. Paragraph 112 provides that planning authorities should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land and it seeks that poorer quality agricultural land is used in preference to higher quality land. 5.1.7 A number of key considerations are assessed when looking at the suitability of a site for solar development. The solar farm requires a relatively large land area as well as a grid connection point. This inevitably means that solar farms are more suited to a countryside than urban location, where large areas of land, or brownfield sites are typically earmarked for residential or commercial expansion. It should be remembered that brownfield land can also have a high ecological value. 5.1.8 In regard to the agricultural land quality of the site. From an initial examination of the Natural Classification Map the land appeared to be grade 3. In order to determine whether it was either 3a or 3b (grade 3a is classified as good quality agricultural land and 3b is classified

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as moderate quality) the site has been subject to an agricultural land survey (prepared by ADAS UK Ltd which accompanies this application). Paragraph 26 of the NPPG advises that Natural England should be the source of information, however even Natural England’s data does not differentiate between Grade 3a and 3b land, merely detailing it all as Grade 3. The site has been assessed as being majority grade 3b (92.8%) with a small area of grade 3a (7.2%). As such the majority of the site would not be on best and most versatile land and the small piece which is extremely restricted by its shape and location and would not be able to be farmed separately. Therefore there is no need to consider the use of lower agricultural grades and as such there is no policy provision that weighs against the proposal being approved in this regard. 5.1.9 In regard to the availability of brownfield land. There is no explicit requirement through either the development plan or the Framework, that applicants are required to undertake a sequential test or how to undertake it. It has become ‘best practice’ through recent appeal decisions that a sequential test is undertaken. Appeal APP/D3505/A/13/2204846 for a solar farm in Suffolk is acknowledged as the first decision which advised a sequential approach was required based on a ministerial speech. There has been other appeal decisions such as appeal APP/Z3825/A/14/2219843 in West Sussex which looks at the sequential test in significant detail. The Inspector concludes that there is no explicit requirement for a sequential test locally or nationally, neither local nor national policy precludes solar farm on agricultural land and the developer is not required to demonstrate that there is no better location for development. 5.1.10 To ensure a robust approach to the application an Alternative Site Search Assessment (ASSA) has been prepared to demonstrate that the use of agricultural land is justified. In this case, regard has been had to the availability of PDL sites within a 1.7km area from the overhead line which will be connected to. Further information on the methodology can be found in the ASSA. 5.1.11 South Kesteven Council have recently approved 2 other solar farms within the District (ref: S/15/0383) at Allington which is 14.82 hectares of grade 3b land and will deliver 5MW. Ref: S/15/0194 also at Allington which is 11 hectares of grade 3b and will deliver 5MW, both have been subject to sequential tests. 5.1.12 In the assessment of both of these applications by the Council it was found that they agreed with the applicants that that there was a lack of any suitable PDL sites which could accommodate those developments. Given that the application site is of a similar size to those approved schemes it would be reasonable to conclude there is no prospect of there being a PDL site available which would be more suitable than the application site.

5.2 Landscape 5.2.1 The site is not covered by any national or local landscape designation. 5.2.2 Within South Kesteven’s Core Strategy policy EN1 regarding the protection and enhancement of the character of the district it states that development must be appropriate to the character and significant natural, historic and cultural attributes and features of the landscape within which it is situated, and contribute to its conservation, enhancement or restoration. 5.2.3 The landscape designation is at a local level and the site is not covered by a national landscape designation. 5.2.4 The study area sits within the Kesteven Uplands (National Character Area 75) as designated within the South Kesteven Landscape Character Assessment (January 2007). This area is characterised by a gently rolling landscape with mixed farming uses. The landscape is dissected by the rivers, Witham and the East and West Glen. 5.2.5 In general, this area is described as being characterised by a mostly agricultural land use with a high amount of historic woodland; picturesque villages are dispersed around the area, mostly following the river valleys that form the undulating landscape. The A1 (Great North Road) and the East Coast Main Line Railway both cut north-south through this character area as man- made influences. Further detail can be found within the accompanying Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA).

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5.2.6 The openness of the area would not be detrimentally impacted as the panels will be at a height of 2.7m above the ground. The inverters will be at a lower height than the panels and there will be one DNO cabinet which will be at a height of 4.3m and one control room which will be at a height of 2.9m. These will both be colour coated in a dark green 5.2.7 Within policy EN1 it seeks to prevent development which would detrimentally impact on the open spaces which are important to the character. As stated above, given the relatively low lying nature of the proposals the visual amenity impact of the site is considered to be limited and would not impact on a significant number of people. 5.2.8 One of the features of the Kesteven Uplands is the undulating and form based around the valleys of the Rivers Witham and West Glen. The solar farm development is designed so that it works with the existing land form and there is no requirement for recontouring of the land. The height of the panels will change height with the ground levels and so the arrays will portray the topography and this distinctive feature will not be lost. 5.2.9 One of the main reasons the site has been chosen is because of the limited visibility there is of the site from many public viewpoints. An LVIA has been undertaken which identifies 8 viewpoints which show the existing views and identifies if the development would be visible and the extent of visibility. 5.2.10 The site is, in the main, considered to be able to accommodate the development in landscape and visual terms. This is based on the fact that the proposed development would have negligible direct effect on landscape features; the site would be fully restored; there are a number of existing urbanising and detracting features in the vicinity of the site, notably the large pylons and overhead lines and major road infrastructure, and the surrounding landform and vegetation cover which limit visibility. 5.2.11 The development layout has been designed so that all existing trees and hedgerows are retained and supplemented where necessary which relates to minimising views of the site from the few places where the development will be visible. 5.2.12 It is considered that the development will not detrimentally impact on any of the existing natural features and wherever possible proposed landscaping has been chosen to reflect local distinctiveness and enhance. 5.2.13 The applicant is aware that an application for a wind turbine has been submitted to South Kesteven Council which is to be erected on land off Dallygate Lane, Great Ponton. At the time of writing the details of this application were not in the public domain. From the EIA Screening Opinion which was submitted for it we have assumed that the height proposed is still 45m. 5.2.14 It is not considered that (in the event that this wind turbine application is approved and the permission implemented) there will be any cumulative impact between the wind turbine and the solar farm as they will not be visible in combination.

5.3 Heritage 5.3.1 Section 66 and 72 of the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 requires decision makers to have special regard to the desirability of preserving listed buildings or their setting or any features of special architectural or historical interest which they possess. 5.3.2 The site does not contain any Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) or listed buildings, there are no designated heritage assets within 1km of the site. There are nine listed buildings and one SAM within 2km of the site but there is no intervisibility between any of these designated heritage assets and the application site due to the topography of the area combined with the presence of woods and hedgerows. 5.3.3 In support of the planning application a geophysical survey has been undertaken. The results of the geophysical survey has identified a range of archaeological features which appear to represent an Iron Age settlement, potentially with an industrial fraction, superseded by a

July 2015 14 Land West of Boothby Great Wood and East of High Dyke, Woodnook Planning Statement

Roman –British enclosure with a second, probable Romano-British stock enclosure to the south- west. 5.3.4 Paragraph 132 of the NPPF states: “Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting.” 5.3.5 Policy EN1 states that: “All development proposals and site allocations will be assessed in relation to: 1. statutory, national and local designations of landscape features, including natural and historic assets” 5.3.6 The applicant is in the process of having trial trenching undertaken, which has been agreed with Heritage . The results of this will inform the detailed design on the type and positions of the piles. There are various options open to the applicant, subject to whether nay features are found. They could alter the design position of the piles or use concrete pads which they frames sit on rather than penetrating the ground. The results of the trail trenching will be submitted to South Kesteven as soon as it is available. 5.3.7 The solar farm development constitutes very limited below ground impacts, typically less than 1% of the total site area. The archaeological features that have been identified are not considered to be particularly sensitive to this very low level of impact. Cable runs and inverter stations have been positioned so as to avoid the main features. 5.3.8 The features are currently subject to an arable regime which can cause extensive truncation and represents a major threat to archaeological remains. The development will provide protection to the heritage assets from this regime for a period of 25 years. 5.4 Ecology 5.4.1 The site is currently arable fields which has limited ecological value. 5.4.2 Policy EN1states that: “All development proposals and site allocations will be assessed in relation to: 7. biodiversity and ecological networks within the landscape” 5.4.3 The hedgerows which surround the site are species rich with trees, but the central hedgerow which divides the site north and south is species poor. The fields are bordered by semi- improved grass margins which range in width from 1-2m. 5.4.4 A Phase 1 survey was undertaken to establish what species may exist on site and the potential for any protected species. The survey found that the site contained habitats which offer limited opportunities for protected species and there was no requirement for further surveys. 5.4.5 The site is generally considered to be of low ecological value. A Biodiversity Management Plan has been prepared which details how the site can offer opportunities to deliver ecological and wider biodiversity benefits as part of landscaping proposals and the management of the solar farm site. The management plan has targeted focal habitat features on-site and enhancement for protected species, such as great crested newts and bats. Retention of all habitats on-site that have the potential to support protected species, such as woodland, hedgerows and grass margins, will result in a negligible impact on the application site. The land underneath and between the arrays will be seeded with a wildflower mix which will enhance the site. 5.5 Traffic 5.5.1 Solar farms generate minimal traffic movements as they require little maintenance. 5.5.2 The largest generation of traffic comes at the construction phase of the project. The development will utilise the existing farm access point which is from the B6403 via Hell Lane. This point allows good visibility splays (of more than 100m in each direction) due to the road

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being mostly straight with no capacity or safety issues. The route which construction traffic will take is to exit the A1 (from the South) at the B1174 junction towards Grantham. Then vehicles will then join the A52 in Grantham and follow it eastwards to the B6403. This route largely follows existing HGV access. The route through Grantham provides sufficient highway width and is already an existing HGV route. 5.5.3 The period of construction would be expected to last 3 months. Once operational the site will be unmanned with operational activities restricted to occasional visits for maintenance. The development would also mean that the number of large farm vehicles accessing the site would reduce as there would not be any ploughing of these fields for the next 25 years. 5.5.4 The construction traffic route has been discussed with Ian Field at Lincolnshire County Council highways who has agreed that it is acceptable. 5.5.5 It is considered that, overall, the development will not cause disruption to the safe and free flow of traffic during operation. The construction period is relatively short and the route chosen for access is assessed as being suitable for this short temporary period.

5.6 Drainage and Flooding 5.6.1 The site is situated within flood zone 1 as shown on the Environment Agency flood zone mapping. The solar panel arrays are not considered to prevent direct infiltration into the ground and will allow rainwater to drain freely into the ground. 5.6.2 The site remains landscaped with grassland/vegetation surrounding and beneath the arrays. There will be no increase in impermeable area which will mean that the proposals will not increase flood risk on or off site.

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6 Summary and Conclusions 6.1.1 The proposed development would have an energy generating capacity of 5MW. This is estimated to provide power for approximately 1,400 homes (this number has been calculated using the BRE guidance/Ofgem Factsheet 96, 2011). This will make a positive contribution towards achieving renewable energy targets, tackling climate change, lessening the dependency on fossil fuels and benefiting energy security. This is supported by paragraph 17 (Core Principles) of the NPPF; paragraph 93 which indicates that the delivery of renewable low carbon energy is central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development; and paragraph 97 that communities have a responsibility to contribute to the provision of renewable energy. Considerable weight should be afforded to this. The proposal also accords with Development Plan Policies in regard to the provision of renewable energy. 6.1.2 The impacts of the proposal on landscape, cultural heritage, agricultural land, residential amenity, highway safety and biodiversity would not give rise to harm. In such circumstances, applications for renewable energy should be approved in accordance with Paragraph 98 of the NPPF and relevant Development Plan policies. Accordingly, the application is commended to the Council.

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