To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Boddington, David Evans and Richard Huffer.

Councillor Roger Evans substituted for Councillor Richard Huffer.

In the absence of the Chair the Vice Chair, Councillor Nick Hignett took the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the Southern Planning Committee meeting held on 14 February 2023

Contact Tim Ward (01743) 257713.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Southern Planning Committee held on 14 February 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 9 March 2023

There were no public questions.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

In respect of agenda item 5 Councillor Nigel Lumby declared that he was the local Member and that he would make a statement and then withdraw from the meeting and take no part in the debate or voting.

Erection of a solar generating facility (solar farm) with a capacity of up to 16 Megawatts, comprising of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a battery storage facility, erection of a 2.5m high security fence up to 2.5m high, erection of up to no.19 CCTV Poles with a maximum height from ground level of 3m and associated infrastructure

The Development Manager introduced the application which was an application for the erection of a solar generating facility (solar farm) with a capacity of up to 16 Megawatts, comprising of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, a battery storage facility, erection of a 2.5m high security fence up to 2.5m high, erection of up to no.19 CCTV Poles with a maximum height from ground level of 3m and associated infrastructure  and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the to the location, layout and elevations.

Sarah Dakin spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Nigel Lumby, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, he then left the room and took no part in the debate or vote

Nick Barber, (Applicant), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Several Members expressed concern regarding the access to the site for large vehicles.  The Development Manager advised that the application included the creation of passing places and that further traffic management measures such as the use of banksmen could be included in the Construction Traffic Management Plan.

The Development Manager advised the meeting that an additional condition would be required to ensure a management plan for the battery area.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in appendix 1 to the report with an added condition about battery management

Installation of solar farm and associated infrastructure

The Development Manager introduced the application which was an application for the Installation of solar farm and associated infrastructure and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the to the location, layout and elevations.

Allan Chatham spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Fred Quartermain spoke on behalf of Kemberton Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Richard Marshall, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Nick Williams, (Agent), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members expressed concern that the proposals would result in harm to the green belt as there was only a narrow section of green belt between the village of Kemberton and Halesfield industrial estate.  They also expressed concern regarding the loss of good quality organic land which would result in the loss of food production and have a harmful effect on the viability of a local business

RESOLVED:

That against the Officer recommendation planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

The proposals would have an adverse effect on the openness of the greenbelt and that there were no very special circumstances to allow development on the green belt, the development is contrary to the reasons for including land within the green belt as it will leads to urbanisation and urban sprawl contrary to policy CS5 of the Core Strategy

Loss of a viable farming business on best and most valuable agricultural land,  having adverse effect on the local economy contrary to policy CS13 of the Core Strategy

Harm to the character of the landscape not outweighed by the benefits, fails to conserve or enhance natural assets

Erection of two three-bedroom dwellings

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an application for the erection of two three-bedroom dwellings and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the to the location, layout and elevations.

Councillor Heather Kidd, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Shyam Vadukul, (Applicant), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to a question the Principal Planner confirmed that whilst the previous lapsed planning consent was not a material consideration for this application it did to some extent establish the principle of development on the site.

A member commented that he felt that the proposals were contrary to policy MD3 of the SAMDev as the number of new houses in the cluster had already been exceeded.

Members welcomed the fact that the entrance onto the B4386 would be closed up as this would improve road safety.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in appendix 1 to the report

Application under Section 73A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the change of use of land to Gypsy / Traveller Site consisting of four family pitches to include 4No. static caravans, 4No. touring caravans, 4No. amenity blocks with gravel drive and turning area (re-submission)

The Development Manager advised the meeting that earlier in the day she had been informed that the agent for the applicant had been admitted to hospital and would not be able to be present at the meeting. She suggested that the item be deferred to allow the applicant to be represented.

RESOLVED

That consideration of the application be deferred to the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 14 March 2023 be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday,11 April 2023.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the South Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 11^th April 2023