Agenda item

A report was presented on an application for the erection of a solar photo voltaic array, 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, Freckleton Parish Council, Newton with Clifton Parish 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 and BAE Systems.  It was noted that no letters of representation had been received in respect of the application.

The Committee was informed that a separate area of proposed solar panels (Site B) was the subject of Planning Application No. LCC/2017/0074 at item 4 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, this site was still directly adjacent to the Core Area.

It was also reported that it was proposed to amend the 'Recommendation' as the applicant now proposes to deal with the management issues and establishment of the steering group through the submission of a unilateral undertaking rather than a section 106 agreement.

It was proposed that the revised recommendation should be reworded as follows:-

'That, after first taking into consideration the environmental information, as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2017 and subject to receipt of an acceptable unilateral undertaking under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to the establishment, funding and working arrangements of a biodiversity steering group, planning permission be granted subject to conditions controlling time limits, working programme, hours of working, building materials, site operations, noise, dust, lighting, highway matters, safeguarding of watercourses and drainage, landscaping, ecology and restoration'.

It was also proposed to amend Condition 8 as the applicant had submitted a drawing showing the design and location of perimeter fencing to be erected around the site. It was reported that Natural England was satisfied with the design of the fencing but still wished the seasonal restriction within condition 9 to be retained.

It was therefore proposed to reword Condition 8 as follows:

'8.  Prior to the commencement of development, acoustic fencing shall be erected to the design and in the positions shown on drawing CLIFT/L0000000/ARRAY'A'SITE Revision B. The acoustic fencing shall be retained in position throughout the duration of construction works and shall be removed within one month of the completion of construction works.' 

It was proposed to retain the seasonal restriction on works contained in condition 9 as requested by Natural England.

It was noted that the applicant had submitted a revised Construction Environmental Management Plan. The Committee was therefore advised that Conditions 16 and 20 should 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 and subject to receipt of an acceptable unilateral undertaking under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to the establishment, funding and working arrangements of a biodiversity steering group, planning permission be granted subject to conditions set out in the report to the committee and  the inclusion of the amended wording to conditions 8, 16 and 20 as set out above.