9th September 2020 – Planning Committee minutes

EIA Screening Request for a proposed solar farm and battery storage facility.

Cllr Flooks noted that this application is to establish whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required, and is not a full planning application at this stage.  Given the importance of this application, he moved that the Planning Committee terms of reference be suspended and that all Parish Councillors present take part in the discussion and vote on this item.  This was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Flooks invited comments from members of the public.  The following comments were made:

·         There have been 40 odd submissions saying we need the EIA

·         There will be massive traffic impact from lorries and 80 vans a day

·         The footpaths will be decimated

·         The villa will be permanently covered

·         There things are never temporary

Members noted the recent webinar from Enso.

Council and Committee members made the follow observations on the need for an EIA:

·         53% good agricultural land will be replaced with solar panels, but government policy is to use brown field and less good agricultural land.

·         There are known archaeological finds under field one – there may be more.

·         Local fauna would be affected.

·         Bramley Frith would be affected.

·         Footpath views would be severely impacted, with the loss of the current open views.  This would severely affect the amenity value of footpaths in both parishes.

·         Part of the land proposed for the solar farm gets very wet in winter months.

·         Policy states that sites over 0.5 hectares should be subject to EIA – this site is 81 hectares.

·         There is confusion in the application of locations of fields and which parishes they are in.

·         BDBC own maps suggest that woodland is SSSI.  However, this may be incorrect, although it is a SINC and also mostly ancient woodland.

·         Cllrs noted Cllr Mahaffey’s response, and stated that the Bramley PC response should echo this.

It was unanimously agreed that the site should have a full EIA carried out. Cllr Flooks to formulate response and distribute to Councillors for approval.  Clerk to submit when approved.

Cllr Flooks/ Clerk

Erection of 1 no. single storey dwelling to provide accommodation for parents, associated landscaping and access following demolition of stable/home office.

Cllr Flooks invited comments from members of the public – there were none.

Members made the following observations:

·         The site is outside the Settlement Policy Boundary.

·         Against policy SS6 of the Local Plan as the site is isolated.

·         The 2009 appeal result was noted– many of the reasons for the appeal being dismissed at that time are still relevant now.

·         Despite being a change in land use to equestrian purposes, the land has never been used for horses.

·         Tree cover has been inaccurately depicted in plans.

·         Whilst the site is outside the Conservation Area, it does border it.  The proposed plans will have a detrimental impact on views into and from the Conservation Area.

·         The proposed building seems big for a one storey house.

Objections as outlined above unanimously agreed.  Clerk to draft response and distribute to members for comment prior to submission.

Clerk

None.

These were noted.

This appeal was heard last week, and the decision was released today.  The appeal has been allowed and planning permission for the formation of the new access has been granted.  Further information is available on the BDBC planning portal.

The refusal for this application has been appealed.  A date has not yet been set for the appeal.

The refusal for this application has been appealed.  Whilst a date for the appeal hearing has not yet been set, the deadline for submitting additional comments to the Inspector is 14^th September.  Councillors felt that the initial objections from Bramley PC were thorough and that no further comments need to be submitted at this time.  However, Cllr Bell will review this and distribute any response for agreement before submission.

Cllr Bell

The Clerk also noted that work is being done on the new allotments.  Cllr Flooks noted concern about the fencing.  This and other concerns can be addressed at the on-site meeting.

Cllr Tomblin

The Clerk noted the various briefings she has forwarded to members from BDBC.  BDBC confirmed that Bramley has had a total of 335 planning permissions for dwellings granted in the current Local Plan period, and has therefore met the ‘at least’ 200 requirement specified for the Parish.

The current land supply position is that BDBC can currently demonstrate 4.86 years of deliverable housing sites. This falls short of the five-year supply required by national planning guidance, meaning that policies relating to housing delivery in the borough’s adopted Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans (with the exception of Kingsclere) are currently considered to be out of date.  BDBC cannot currently predict what the position will be moving forward due to the current pandemic restrictions, although Manydown will be taken into account in future calculations.

The Clerk noted that BDBC officers have requested a meeting with Bramley PC to discuss the Local Plan Update and the Issues and Options Consultation.  Clerk to contact BDBC to arrange.

Clerk

Cllr Flooks/ Cllr Bell

·         Changes to the current planning system (deadline for responses 1^st October 2020)

·         Planning for the future (deadline for responses 29^th October 2020)

·         Transparency and Competition – a call for evidence of data on land control (deadline for responses 30^th October 2020)

Issues were noted with the NDP being ignored to mitigate land supply issues.  Frustration was expressed that the planning framework is being changed yet again.

It was unanimously  agreed that BPC would not comment at this time.

Meeting closed at 8.03pm

Resurfacing of existing car park serving Bramley Village Hall, including the improvement of drainage and rainwater management on the site

No objection

4 Spruce cut back overhang to neightbouring property (Belmeads) to stem.

7 Spruce: fell.

No objection

Erection of single storey extension to side and rear following demolition of existing conservatory. Conversion of garage to habitable accommodation (Amendment to approval 19/01332/HSE)

No objection, comments

Mature Cherry Tree approx 8m high and 6m wide to be reduced by approx 30%. To improve overall appearance, remove dead and decaying branches and improve fruit yield.

No objection

Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension following removal of existing conservatory

No objection

Ash: remove lowest dead branch and 1 limb overhanging Silvermede.

Spruce: remove five lowest branches overhanging Silvermede.

No objection

Conversion of ground floor from tanning salon (sui generis) and retail (A1) to 2 no. one bedroom flats and retail (A1)

The erection of 1 no. dwelling and associated parking and access

Outline planning application for the erection of 4 dwellings including access

Outline planning application with access to be included, for the demolition of existing stables and riding arena and the erection of 4 no. dwellings

Variation of Conditions 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 20 and 21 of 19/00464/FUL to amend drawing numbers to allow for improved siting and alterations to the detailed design of the dwellings. Including amended wording of conditions 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 21 to allow the removal of conditions 9 and 17.