Decision details

A report was presented on an application for the erection of solar photo voltaic panels, 2 housings for switchgear, transformers and inverters, 2m high security mesh fencing and integral connection to Preston Waste Water Treatment works in the field adjacent to north-east side of Preston Waste Water Treatment Works, Clifton Marsh, off Lytham Road, Freckleton.

The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary prepared under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

The report included the views of Fylde Borough Council, LCC Highways Development Control, the Environment Agency, LCC Specialist Advisor (Ecology), LCC Specialist Advisor (Archaeology), the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Natural England, the RSPB, the Health and Safety Executive, the Canal and River Trust, National Air Traffic Services and details of one letter of representation received.

The Committee was informed that a separate area of proposed solar panels (Site A) was the subject of Planning Application No. LCC/2017/0090 at item 5 of the agenda.

The Development Management Officer presented a PowerPoint presentation showing an aerial photograph of the site and the nearest residential properties. The Committee was also shown a site layout plan showing details of the solar panels, switchgear housing and fencing and photographs of the site taken from various aspects.

The officer reported that the RSPB had confirmed that the Black Godwit Core Area had been revised so that it no longer covers either application area. However, Site A (LCC/2017/0090) was still directly adjacent to the Core Area.

It was also reported that a revised Construction Environmental Management Plan had been submitted by the applicant. The Committee was advised that Conditions 13 and 17 should therefore be reworded to make reference to the Construction Environmental Management Plan received on 23^rd February 2018.

Resolved: That, after first taking into consideration the environmental information, as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report to the Committee and the inclusion of the amended wording to conditions 13 and 17 as set out above.