Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Item 6: Installation of a solar farm and associated development (AMENDMENTS RECEIVED): Additional Information including; changes to application red line; revised plans; photomontages; additional assessments and supporting information (Revised Description & Revised Details)

It was noted that the majority of the committee, had visited the application site on 6 February 2024 to enable members to observe the site in context and to gain a better appreciation of the proposals.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full the following:

1.    Following changes to landscaping proposals as set out in the report, the applicant’s ecological consultant had reviewed if changes had affected the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculation. The conclusion of this review noted the main points as follows:

·       Used Biodiversity Metric 4.0.

·       Change to create scrub belt of 5,806m2 instead of proposed neutral grassland.

·       New scrub buffer zone (565m2) to be created adjacent entrance instead of modified grassland.

·       Increase in width of hedgerow (southern and eastern boundaries of PV panel main site) from 1m to 5m in width, instead of neutral grassland.

·       Change to type of seed mix to be used.

·       Changes result in slight uplift of BNG figure from an increase of +79.25% habitat units to a new figure of +81.51%.  No change to hedgerow unit figure which remains at +63.28%.

2.    The applicant had circulated a three-page briefing note to members of the committee which provided an outline of the key considerations of the application and an overview of the biodiversity enhancements integral to the project. The planning officer’s comments in response were set out in full within the update sheet, stating that there was no change to the recommendation.

In addition, a verbal update was provided by the case officer at the meeting with suggested amendments to the planning conditions to reflect the updated information received that: conditions 14 and 27 ( Landscape Enhancement &  Landscape and Ecological Management  Plan) to refer to revision plan M instead of revision plan L; and in condition 27 (relating to the BNG figure within criteria A) be amended from 79.27% to 81.51% habitat units. 

During public participation, Samantha Culhane, Rachel Waldron and Councillor Sue Wood (on behalf of Sparsholt Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Councillor Eleanor Bell (on behalf of Hursley Parish Council), Nicola Jones and Chris Field spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Horrill spoke as contiguous Ward Member. In summary, Councillor Horrill, raised the following points:

·       Does the committee agree with the development of solar energy in the council’s climate emergency efforts, but do we agree that solar farms should be placed anywhere within the district?

·       The clear issue with the application is the landscape within which the site is located. The case officer, the council’s landscape team and CPRE Hampshire all agree that the site is within a valued landscape, demonstrating attributes beyond the ordinary.

·       The area was used extensively during Covid for walking cycling and horse-riding with The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6