Development Management Panel 17 December 2012

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PANEL 17 DECEMBER 2012

Case No: 1201408FUL (FULL PLANNING APPLICATION)

Proposal: INSTALLATION OF A MICRO GENERATION 10KW WIND TURBINE ON A 15M TOWER

Location: MILL HOUSE LEIGHTON ROAD

Applicant: MR AND MRS C PARK

Grid Ref: 510077 276210

Date of Registration: 24.09.2012

Parish: OLD WESTON

RECOMMENDATION - APPROVAL

1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND APPLICATION

1.1 The application site relates to a field to the rear of Mill House, a two storey detached property which is located outside of the built-up framework of the village, on the road between Old Weston and Leighton Bromswold. The field is surrounded by hedgerows and trees, adjacent the site is open, larger fields; there are Public Rights of Way (PROW) in the locality. It is understood that historically there was a windmill within the grounds of Mill House.

1.2 The application seeks the erection of an Evoco 10KW (@ 11m/s) wind turbine which is to be mounted on a 15m high tower. It would have three blades with a diameter of 9.7m and subsequent swept area of 74 square metres. The supporting Design and Access Statement advises that no ancillary structures or buildings are required to house electrical equipment as these will be within the applicant’s existing buildings.

1.3 The location of the proposed turbine has been amended at Officer request; the original location was shown in the corner of the field but the siting now under consideration is approx. 50m from the northern, eastern and southern boundaries of the field.

1.4 The application is supported by an Acoustic Report (not site specific), Design and Access Statement, product specification sheet for Evoco 10KW turbine and a research article entitled ‘Foraging bats avoid noise’.

2. NATIONAL GUIDANCE

2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (2012) sets out the three dimensions to sustainable development – an economic role, a social role and an environmental role – and outlines the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Under the heading of Delivering Sustainable Development, the Framework sets out the Government’s planning policies for: building a strong, competitive economy; ensuring the vitality of town centres; supporting a prosperous rural economy; promoting sustainable transport; supporting high quality communications infrastructure; delivering a wide choice of high quality homes; requiring good design; promoting healthy communities; protecting Green Belt land; meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change; conserving and enhancing the natural environment; conserving and enhancing the historic environment; and facilitating the sustainable use of minerals.

2.2 Planning For Renewable Energy - A Companion Guide to PPS22 discusses the planning and development of renewable energy schemes across England; whilst The National Planning Policy Framework (2012) has superseded previous Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance documents produced at a national level, on 17 May 2012 in answer to a Parliamentary Question, the Minister Greg Clark confirmed that all current underpinning guidance remains in place, including companion guides.

For full details visit the government website http://www.communities.gov.uk and follow the links to planning, Building and Environment, Planning, Planning Policy.

3. PLANNING POLICIES

Further information on the role of planning policies in deciding planning applications can also be found at the following website: http://www.communities.gov.uk then follow links Planning, Building and Environment, Planning, Planning Information and Guidance, Planning Guidance and Advice and then Creating and Better Place to Live

3.1 East of England Plan - Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy (May 2008) Policies viewable at http://www.go-east.gov.uk then follow links to Planning, Regional Planning then Related Documents

 SS1: “Achieving Sustainable Development” – the strategy seeks to bring about sustainable development by applying: the guiding principles of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy 2005 and the elements contributing to the creation of sustainable communities described in Sustainable Communities: Homes for All.

 ENV6: “The Historic Environment” - Within plans, policies, programmes and proposals local planning authorities and other agencies should identify, protect, conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the historic environment of the region including Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.

 ENV7: “Quality in the Built Environment” - requires new development to be of high quality which complements the distinctive character and best qualities of the local area and promotes urban renaissance and regeneration.

 ENG2: “Renewable Energy Target” – the development of new facilities for renewable power generation should be supported.

3.2 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan (2003) Saved policies from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan 2003 are relevant and viewable at http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk follow the links to environment, planning, planning policy and Structure Plan 2003.

 No relevant policies.

3.3 Huntingdonshire Local Plan (1995) Saved policies from the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 1995 are relevant and viewable at www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/localplan95

 En2:“Character and setting of Listed Buildings” - indicates that any development involving or affecting a building of architectural or historic merit will need to have proper regard to the scale, form, design and setting of that building

 En17: "Development in the Countryside" - development in the countryside is restricted to that which is essential to the effective operation of local agriculture, horticulture, forestry, permitted mineral extraction, outdoor recreation or public utility services.

 En18: “Protection of countryside features” – Offers protection for important site features including trees, woodlands, hedges and meadowland.

 En22 “Conservation” where relevant, the determination of applications will take appropriate consideration of nature and wildlife conservation.

 En23: “Conservation” – development which has a significant adverse effect on the interests of wildlife in an area will not normally be permitted.

 En25: “General Design Criteria” – indicates that the District Council will expect new development to respect the scale, form, materials and design of established buildings in the locality and make provision for landscaping and amenity areas.

3.4 Huntingdonshire Local Plan Alterations (2002) Saved policies from the Huntingdon Local Plan Alterations 2002 are relevant and viewable at www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/localplan - Then click on "Local Plan Alteration (2002)

 No relevant policies.

3.5 Policies from the Adopted Huntingdonshire Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2009 are relevant and viewable at http://www.huntsdc.gov.uk click on Environment and Planning then click on Planning then click on Planning Policy and then click on Core Strategy where there is a link to the Adopted Core Strategy.

 CS1: “Sustainable development in Huntingdonshire” – all developments will contribute to the pursuit of sustainable development, having regard to social, environmental and economic issues. All aspects will be considered including design, implementation and function of development.

3.6 Policies from the Development Management DPD: Proposed Submission 2010 are relevant.

 The Local Planning Authority’s Development Management Development Plan Document: Proposed Submission 2010 (DMDPD) was reported to Cabinet and approved for submission on the 11th February 2010. It was published on 26th March 2010. This was preceded by three separate public consultation exercises: the details of which can be viewed in The Statement of Consultation for the DMDPD on the Council’s website www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk. The document was not submitted in view of the uncertainty regarding the Government’s intentions in respect of the East of England Plan and the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. It is therefore considered that its policies should be accorded significant weight.

 C3: “Renewable and Low Carbon Energy” – proposals for free standing renewable or low-energy generating schemes will be considered in accordance with PPS22 and considered favourably where: careful siting and design ensures the scheme does not have an unacceptable impact on the environment and local amenity; where located outside the built-up area has regard to the capacity of the surrounding landscape and provision is made for the removal of redundant apparatus and re-instatement of the site to an acceptable condition should the site become redundant.

 E1: “Development Context” – development proposals shall demonstrate consideration of the character and appearance of the surrounding environment and the potential impact of the proposal.

 E3: “Heritage Assets” – proposals which affect the District’s heritage assets or their setting should demonstrate how these assets will be protected, conserved and where appropriate enhanced.

 E4: “Biodiversity and Protected Habitats and Species” – proposals shall be accompanied by assessments of the likely impacts on biodiversity and geology including protected species, priority species and habitats or sites of importance for biodiversity or geology. Development proposals should not harm or cause adverse impact on statutorily designated areas and non-statutory designated areas such as County Wildlife Sites. They should prevent harm to protected habitats and species, including direct and indirect impacts.

 H7: “Amenity” – development proposals should safeguard the living conditions for residents and people occupying adjoining or nearby properties.

 P7: “Development in the Countryside” – development in the countryside is restricted to those listed within the given criteria, the relevant element of which is: c. renewable energy generation schemes;

3.7 Huntingdonshire District Council has commenced preparation of a Local Plan to 2036 to replace its existing development plan documents. The plan will set out the strategy for development in the whole of Huntingdonshire, incorporating policies for managing development and site-specific proposals for different forms of development in the context of the new National Planning Policy Framework. The plan will include consideration of the Alconbury Enterprise Zone and other proposed development on the Airfield, as well as other opportunities that have arisen since the Core Strategy was adopted in 2009.

3.8 Policies from the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 – Draft Strategic Options and Policies (2012) are relevant:

 Draft Policy 7: “Scale of development in the countryside” - sets out the limited circumstances where sustainable development in the countryside will be considered. These include (where it is in accordance with other policies of this Plan or policies of the Cambridgeshire Waste and Minerals Development Plan produced by Cambridgeshire County Council) proposals for essential operational development for renewable and low carbon energy generation.

3.9 Policies from the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 – Draft Development Management Policies (2012) are relevant:

 DM13: – “Good design and sustainability” – requires high standards of design for all new sustainable development and the built environment.

 DM14: “Amenity” – requires development proposals to provide a high standard of amenity for existing and future users of the proposed development and its surroundings.

 DM 21: “Renewable and Low Carbon Energy” – a sustainable development proposal for a renewable or low carbon energy generating scheme will be acceptable where its siting and design ensures there is no demonstrable significant or substantial harm to: a. the environment and local amenity including noise levels and impact on a heritage asset or its setting both in isolation or cumulatively with other similar developments; b. a site of international or national importance for biodiversity;and c. the character and capacity of the surrounding landscape as identified in the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment SPD (2007) and the Wind Power SPD (2006) or successor documents. Where there is significant or substantial harm, this will be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. Provision will be made for the removal of apparatus and reinstatement of the site to an acceptable condition, should the site become redundant.

 DM24: “Biodiversity and protected habitats and species“- A sustainable development proposal will be acceptable where it does not give rise to significant adverse impact on a site of international, national, local or regional importance for biodiversity or geology or protected species, priority habitats or species. A sustainable development proposal will aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity.

 DM27: “Heritage assets and their settings” – to protect and conserve the district’s heritage assets, including listed buildings, conservation areas and related assets. A sustainable development proposal will be acceptable where it avoids or minimises conflict with the conservation of any affected heritage asset and the setting of any heritage asset.

3.10 Supplementary Planning Guidance / Documents:

- Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment (2007) identified the site as within the ‘Northern Wolds’ Landscape Character Area.

- Huntingdonshire Wind Power Supplementary Planning Document (2006) advises that the site falls within the Northern Wolds landscape which has a high capacity to accommodate single wind turbines.

- Draft SPD: Landscape Sensitivity to Wind Turbine Development which is currently out to consultation (from 16 November 2012 to 4 January 2013). This reviews the 2006 SPD: Wind Power and revises it in the light of: * the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); * the evolving assessment of landscape sensitivity to wind turbine development; * certain inconsistencies that have been identified between the SPD and Wind Turbine Development in Huntingdonshire (2005), the study undertaken by Land Use Consultants that underpinned the SPD (described in this SPD as the LUC study); and * the need for guidance on the siting and design of smaller turbines. The draft document continues to consider the Northern Wolds landscape to have a high capacity to accommodate single wind turbines.

- Natural England Technical Information Note: TIN051 - Bats and onshore wind turbines (Interim guidance).

4. PLANNING HISTORY

4.1 No relevant planning history.

5. CONSULTATIONS

5.1 Old Weston Parish Council - recommends REFUSAL and has maintained their objection following a further period of consultation on the revised siting (copies attached)

5.2 HDC Environmental Health - NO OBJECITONS due to separation distance with neighbouring dwellings.

5.3 Ministry of Defence Infrastructure Organisation – NO OBJECTIONS subject to a condition relating to construction dates, height of construction traffic and grid co-ordinates.

5.4 NATS/NERL Safeguarding – NO OBJECTIONS as does not conflict with safeguarding criteria.

5.6 Civil Aviation Authority Directorate of Airspace Policy – standard informative advice given relating to airspace.

5.7 Natural England – in relation to the originally proposed siting, it suggested that consideration is given to re-siting the turbine to ensure that turbine sweep is a minimum of 50m from habitat features. In this way (additional) survey work may not be required. Following reconsultation in relation to the revised siting, it is confirmed that the location now conforms to the guidance issued in the Technical Information Note TIN051 - Bats and onshore wind turbines (Interim guidance).

5.8 Ofcom – policy is not to advise or get involved with any planning applications.

5.9 National Grid – no comments received.

5.10 RSPB – no comments received.

6. REPRESENTATIONS

6.1 No comments received to date.

7. SUMMARY OF ISSUES

7.1 The main issues to consider in determining this application are the principle of development, its visual impact on the countryside, impact on heritage assets, impact on neighbouring properties, impact on highway safety, impact on biodiversity, and impact on air safety.

Principle:

7.2 The provision of wind energy proposals as a means of generating renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions is subject to national and local planning policy support and it is noted that paragraph 98 of the NPPF states that “local planning authorities should ... not require the applicants for energy development to demonstrate the overall need for renewable or low carbon energy and also recognise that even small-scale projects provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gases and emissions”. The paragraph goes on to advise that local planning authorities should approve the application unless material considerations indicate otherwise “if its impacts are (or can be made) acceptable”.

7.3 At the regional level, Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Policy ENG2 establishes a regional target that by 2020 17% of the region’s energy should come from renewable sources. Whilst the Government has announced its intention to abolish the RSS it is accepted that this target was proposed in order to inform a 20% target for the UK in 2020. Whilst the monitoring of this target is no longer undertaken it is accepted that the 2010 RSS target was not met.

7.4 At the local level, whilst policy En17 of the Local Plan does not refer to energy generation schemes, Policy CS1 of the Huntingdonshire Core Strategy 2009 sets out the Council’s support for maximising opportunities for renewable and low carbon energy sources, criteria (c) of Policy P7 of the Development Management DPD: Proposed Submission 2010 supports renewable energy generation schemes in the countryside and Draft Policy DM21 of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 – Draft Development Management Policies (2012) indicates that renewable energy generating schemes will be acceptable where there is no demonstrable significant or substantial harm but also that, where there is significant or substantial harm, this will be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. In the view of officers the public benefits arising from the proposal are the generation of renewable energy which would place less reliance on fossil fuels and thus contribute towards reducing the impacts of climate change.

7.5 Therefore the proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle, subject to all other relevant material considerations.

Impact on the countryside:

7.6 The Parish Council considers that the height of the proposed turbine is too big for the area as it is larger than a poplar tree and will therefore have a visual impact upon the community. They are also concerned that the site may be shielded from a southerly wind by Mill House and the spinney which could lead to a later application to remove mature and well established trees.

7.7 The applicant has advised that she was advised in 1983 to remove the poplar trees on the site of the dwellinghouse due to the roots having the potential to damage to the stable block, this was not done but it is stated that the roots have now damaged the stable block and may need to be taken down – this is however unconnected to the current planning application.

7.8 In planning terms the appearance of a wind turbine, as a structure, is not intrinsically harmful to the countryside setting. The issue to consider through this application is whether a turbine of the scale proposed and sited in this location would result in demonstrable and unacceptable harm to the surrounding landscape such that planning permission should be refused.

7.9 The Huntingdonshire Wind Power SPD 2006 provides guidance in relation to 100-140m high turbines and identifies, in broad terms, that the Northern Wolds has a high capacity to accommodate a single wind turbine and states that a single turbine would fit in well with the scale of the landscape and land cover patterns. It states that the location of a single turbine of that scale should take into account the following 7 guidance criteria: * Respect the landform and relate turbines to the strong ridges and plateau; avoid locating turbines within the more intimate landscape of the valleys and along valley crests where they will be out of scale with the landscape and settlements such as at Kimbolton. * Avoid siting turbines on areas of pasture with ridge and furrow. * Respect the site and settings of the historic villages which characterise the Northern Wolds. * Consider the views to and setting of the distinctive church spires which form a landmark feature, and ensure turbine development does not result in visual clutter in relation to these key views. A single turbine could form a separate focal point in its own right. * Consider opportunities to site a single turbine in relation to existing farm/utility or industrial buildings (e.g. disused airfields) creating a functional image. * Avoid the introduction of new pylon lines into the Northern Wolds. The area is currently characterised by the absence of disruptive features and pylon lines would be difficult to accommodate in relation to the distinctive ridge and valley topography. * Seek opportunities to achieve wider landscape management objectives identified in the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment in association with any proposed development.

7.10 There are PROWs surrounding the site, the closest footpath to the SW (No. 144/9) runs adjacent to Fox Holes Farm with the footpaths to the west, north and east approximately 350m, 480m and 1.1km away respectively. The proposed turbine will be visible from a number of locations in the public domain, including the PROW to the north and the minor road from Old Weston to Leighton Bromswold. However, the proposal is for a small-scale turbine and the proposed location is set back from these viewpoints such that the visual impact is considered to be reduced.

7.11 It is therefore felt that the proposed turbine which has a total height of 20.8m (hub height of 15m) is not of a scale which will be out of keeping in this location. It is not considered that the character and appearance of the area will be significantly harmed to warrant refusal of the application. In any event the public benefits would be sufficient to outweigh any limited harm arising.

7.12 In the interests of visual amenity, and having regard to the likely lifetime of the wind turbines, any permission should be subject to conditions to limit the permission to a temporary period not exceeding 25 years and to secure removal of the proposed turbines if they fail to continuously generate electricity for a reasonable period of time.

Impact on heritage assets:

7.13 Approximately 1.2km to the south east of the application site is the edge of the Leighton Bromswold Conservation Area and approx, 1.1km to the north west is the village of Old Weston which contains six Grade II listed buildings (Marshall Cottage, The Poplars, Town Farmhouse, The Swan Public House, 16-22 Main Street, and Model Farm) and St Swithins Church, a Grade II* listed building. Leighton Bromswold also has a number of listed buildings with The Green Man Public House closest to the application site and approx. 1.4km from the application site.

7.14 Given the scale of the proposal at 20.8m high to tip, the separation distance and the intervening vegetation, it is not considered that the setting of heritage assets located in the wider area will be adversely impacted such that any harm caused could not be said to be outweighed by the wider public benefit of renewable energy.

Impact on neighbour amenities:

7.15 The nearest residential property (Fox Holes Farm) is approximately 400m to the south west of the application site. The Environmental Protection Officer has not objected to this proposal on the grounds of noise.

7.16 It is considered that the small scale of the turbine and the separation distance between the site and the neighbour is acceptable in this instance such that there should not be an unacceptable impact upon residential amenity.

Impact on biodiversity:

7.17 Concern was raised over the location of the turbine as originally sited due to its proximity to the hedgerows around the site boundary as these are considered to have potential to be foraging and commuting routes for bats. The revised location is now 50m from the surrounding trees and hedgerow and complies with the Technical Information Note regarding Bats and Onshore wind turbines issued by Natural England.

7.18 It is therefore considered that the proposed turbine would not have an unacceptably adverse impact on ecology or wildlife, such that the application should be refused.

Air safety:

7.19 The proposal is not considered to be unacceptably detrimental to air safety, the MOD request for confirmation of precise siting and construction dates is noted and this could be secured by condition.

Other Matters:

7.20 The Parish Council have concerns that approval of this application would set a precedent for future turbines. Each application has to be considered on its own merits and in light of planning policy relevant at the time. For the reasons referred to above, it is Officer opinion that the application as proposed is acceptable in this instance.

Conclusion

7.21 The proposed development has been assessed to be compliant with relevant national, regional and local planning policy, and can therefore be approved as: - the principle of renewable energy development is acceptable and the development would make a contribution towards relevant targets as well as objectives which seek to tackle climate change. - the impact on the landscape is considered to be acceptable. - the harm upon heritage assets is considered to be ‘less that substantial’ and that harm is considered to be outweighed by the public benefits arising from the proposal. - neighbour amenities would be safeguarded. - biodiversity and nature conservation interests would not be adversely harmed. - air safety would not be unduly compromised.

7.22 Taking national and local planning policies into account, and having regard for all relevant material considerations, it is Officer recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions.

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8. RECOMMENDATION - APPROVE subject to conditions to include the following:

02003 Time Limit (3yrs)

Nonstand Temporary 25 yr permission

Nonstand Remove if fails to generate electricity

Nonstand No illumination

Nonstand Cabling laid underground

Nonstand Construction dates and location

CONTACT OFFICER: Enquiries about this report to Ms Charlotte Fox Assistant Development Management Officer 01480 388457

Mrs S E Fussell Clerk, Old Weston Parish Council Green Oak House Main Street Old Weston Huntingdon Cambs PE28 5LL Planning Services Pathfinder House St Mary’s Street Huntingdon Cambs PE29 3TN 17th October 2012

Dear Ms Fox

Re Application Number 1201408FUL Proposal: 10kw wind turbine on a 15m tower Location: Mill House, Leighton Rd, Old Weston

Old Weston Parish Council Recommend refusal because of concerns which are:

· Proposed height is too big for this area as it will be larger than a poplar tree and therefore very visible from a number of local footpaths, including the historic footpath used for pilgrimages between Leighton Bromswold and Little Gidding.

· The proposed site may be shielded from a southerly wind by Mill House and the spinney which may lead to a later application to remove mature and well established trees.

Yours sincerely, Sarah Fussell Clerk. Mrs S E Fussell Clerk, Old Weston Parish Council Green Oak House Main Street Old Weston Huntingdon Cambs PE28 5LL Planning Services Pathfinder House St Mary’s Street Huntingdon Cambs PE29 3TN 13th November 2012

Dear

Re Application Number: 1201408FUL Proposal: Mill House, Leighton Rd Old Weston Location: Amended location of wind turbine

Dear Charlotte

Old Weston Parish Council recommend refusal because:  Erection of the turbine would set a precedent  still have a visual impact on the community  the height of the wind turbine hasn’t changed

Yours sincerely Sarah Fussell Clerk. Development Management Panel

Legend

The Site Development Management Panel

! Legend

! The Site Conservation Area Listed Buildings Right of Way