Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Erection of Battery Energy Storage Facility including creation of new vehicular access along with landscaping and all associated engineering works.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the update sheet (available here) which provided additional information regarding several matters including the following:

1. Additional representations had been received from the Parish Council and members of the public questioning the need for the development, grid connection, cumulative impact, traffic management, fire safety, noise, and community engagement.
2. The update sheet also contained technical amendments to the officer’s report and revisions to conditions 3, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 24. These points were set out in full within the update sheet with textual amendments highlighted.

In addition to the published presentation, the case officer provided a verbal update regarding the key issues that had been raised, including: construction vehicle movements, fire safety issues, noise, the need for battery storage and the connection date.

During public participation, Emma Rosling, and Michael Purkins spoke in objection to the application, Jonathan Cooper spoke in support of the application and Councillor Rappé on behalf of Wickham and Knowle Parish Council spoke in objection to the application and answered members' questions.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application. During discussion on the item the committee received advice from the Legal Adviser regarding several matters including the materiality of business rates, the management of noise impacts on human and ecological receptors, and the relationship between planning control and fire safety regulations.

RESOLVED

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update sheet. This was subject to an amended condition requiring the landscaping scheme to be implemented upon completion of construction and an additional informative regarding the coordination of construction traffic with neighbouring developments, the final wording of which to be delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair.