1200670Ful (Full Planning Application)
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DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PANEL 20 August 2012 Case No: 1200670FUL (FULL PLANNING APPLICATION) Proposal: INSTALLATION OF TWO WIND TURBINES EACH 36.4M HIGH (TO MID POINT OF HUB) AND 46M HIGH TO BLADE TIP (MAXIMUM TOTAL HEIGHT) WITH THREE 9.6M LENGTH BLADES. PLUS ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT TO REPLACE TWO GAIA TURBINES (PERMITTED UNDER 1000736FUL) AMENDED DESCRIPTION Location: HAMERTON ZOO PARK HAMERTON ROAD STEEPLE GIDDING HUNTINGDON Applicant: HAMERTON ZOO PARK Grid Ref: 513826 280382 Date of Registration: 14.05.2012 Parish: HAMERTON AND STEEPLE GIDDING RECOMMENDATION - APPROVE 1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND APPLICATION 1.1 The site is a field associated with Hamerton Zoological Park within the countryside to the north east of the settlement of Hamerton. The site is approximately 230 metres to the west of Manor Lodge Farm. The site is within the landscape character area of the Northern Wolds with an open land-form comprised of significant stretches of agricultural land and small dispersed settlements. The adjacent roadside verge is protected. The high voltage power lines and pylons run along the eastern edge of the area. 1.2 Two 11KW Gaia wind turbines have been erected under planning permission 1000736FUL; these are approx. 18.5m high to hub, twin bladed and have a total height from ground to the tip of the turbine of 24.8 metres. They are mounted on a lattice tower. These turbines sought to enable the applicants to reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills and to increase their self-sufficiency in terms of electricity production. 1.3 The current proposal seeks permission for two replacement wind turbines. The proposed turbines are to be 50KW output Endurance E- 3120 turbines which have a mid-hub height of 36.4m and maximum height (from ground to blade tip) of 46m. The Endurance turbines have three blades and are mounted on a monopole. 1.4 The application is supported by a Design and Access Statement with Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment and Photomontages, Heritage Statement, Noise assessment and general acoustic data for the turbines. A public event was held on behalf of the applicant following initial submission of the application. 1.5 The proposed turbines would reportedly generate electricity for consumption by the zoo to enable the business electricity needs to be fully satisfied in an environmentally and sustainable manner; it is detailed that any surplus electricity will be fed back into the National Grid. It is also detailed that the existing turbines would be dismantled and reused at another site where the level of electricity generated would be commensurate with the particularly needs of that location; further details of this relocation are unknown. 1.6 Wind turbines are projects which are listed under Schedule 2.3(i) to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. Local planning authorities are required to screen applications for the need for EIA where the development involves the installation of more than 2 turbines or the hub height of any turbine or height of any other structure exceeds 15 metres. An EIA Screening was undertaken in accordance with the Regulations; this concluded that the development was not EIA development and an Environmental Statement was not therefore required. 1.7 The accompanying reports have been amended during the application and the description also amended to ensure all documents referred to the mid-point of the hub height as the initial application description referred to a lower height of 35.4m (relating to the base of the hub height) in contrast to the supporting statements. A period of reconsultation has been carried out with all consultees and neighbours. 1.8 The plan showing the elevation of the turbine indicates that this model is not available for use in EU countries; a letter from Hallmark Power Ltd (supplier of the turbines) has been received confirming that this is no longer the case and this model can now be obtained in the UK. 1.9 Further amendments were received as it was established that the co- ordinates given for proposed Turbine 1 were some 26 metres to the southeast of the location shown on the plans, which means that the originally submitted photomontages were not accurate. This error does not affect the site plan as originally proposed and does not impact upon the noise report. All neighbours, contributors and consultees have been reconsulted with this additional information and any subsequent comments received will be reported to Members; the report that follows assesses the most up to date information; it is acknowledged that further representations may be made and these will be considered and reported to the Panel accordingly. 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 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. 3.2 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. 3.3 Huntingdonshire Local Plan (1995) Saved policies from the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 1995 are relevant and viewable at www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/localplan95 E7: “Small Businesses” will normally be supported subject to environmental and traffic considerations. 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