Agenda item

Installation of freestanding low level PV array to supply the adjacent property at Ogle Hill Head

Ogle Hill Head, Belsay, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland

NE20 0DR

Installation of freestanding low level PV array to supply the adjacent property at Ogle Hill Head

Ogle Hill Head, Belsay, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland

NE20 0DR

C Harvey, Senior Planning Officer, provided an introduction to the report with the aid of a power point presentation.  Members were advised that an additional condition should  be attached to any permission granted as follows:-

"Within two months of the hereby approved solar panel array no longer being used to generate energy for the dwelling currently known as Ogle Hill Head, the approved structure and panels shall be removed from the site.

Reason: To control the duration of the development and to ensure the remediability of the site, in the interest of preserving the openness of the Green Belt, in accordance with Policies STP7 and STP8 of the Northumberland Local Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework."

Rachel Dodd addressed the Committee speaking in support of the application. Her comments included the following:-

·       As Members were aware there was currently an energy crisis, a climate emergency and rises to the cost of living.

·       The property was currently reliant on oil and mains electricity and therefore heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The nature of the proposal for PV panels would assist the household to become more sustainable in terms of energy, environment and economy.

·       During construction materials would be sustainable sourced where necessary and appropriate. This would include the recycling of railway sleepers and crushed railway ballast. As the PV panels were ground mounted, the equipment could be removed at any point if required.

·       Due to the circumstances of the applicant being a County Councillor, this application had been brought to Committee however it would usually have been determined under delegated powers. 

·       Members were reminded that they should consider the application in the light of the Officer’s report and recommendation for approval, given the wider environmental benefits of the proposal outweighed the degree of harm to the openness of the Green Belt.

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the following information was provided:-

·       Whilst it was likely that if a similar application had been submitted from a member of the public it would be determined under delegated powers, this was not guaranteed as each individual application was assessed against the delegation scheme which determines if an application should be considered by members of the planning committee.

·       There was no visual provided on what the panels would look like insitu, however the site was well screened from the road and Officers had been mindful of the wider landscape of agricultural fields when considering the application.  Whilst the development would be seen, due to its height and scale it was considered appropriate in this instance.  A similar development on other sites might have a larger impact.

·       The panels were to be provided within the grounds of the dwelling and were to be used to provide energy to the property.  The output was not known however it had to be assumed that it was sufficient  for the property.

·       There were a number of policies supporting small scheme renewable energy however the impact of amenity and visual impact must also be considered in assessing the application especially in view of the proposal being located in the Green Belt. That  was the reason for requesting the additional condition to be added to any permission granted to remove the structure should it cease to be used.  . 

·       A lot of small scale renewable energy was provided by way of solar panels on the roof of properties which had permitted development rights, this application was of a larger scale and ground mounted which was why permission was required. It might be useful that future requests of this nature should include details of the gain. 

·       As the application site was within the curtilage of the property it would be deemed as a brown field site, however this did not mean that the site  could be built on at a later date.  Any future proposal would need to be assessed against relevant policy including greenbelt policies. 

·       There was a hedgerow on the southern boundary however this was broken up but due to the height of the proposed development it was deemed to be acceptable.  Every application was considered on its own merits and approving this application would not set a precedent.

·       Due to the number of PV panels there would still be a requirement to apply for planning permission should they be placed on the roof of the property, however up to a certain amount of PV panels were within permitted development rights.

Councillor Robinson proposed acceptance of the recommendation to approve the application with the conditions in the report and with the additional condition outlined above, which was seconded by Councillor Darwin.

A vote was taken on the proposal and it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED for the reasons and with the conditions as outlined in the report and additional condition as outlined.