To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2023 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2023, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the reports of the Development Services Team Leader.

Considered – report of the Senior Planning Officer.

21/1386/FUL

Hill Farm Solar Ltd

Construction of a 36.1 hectare solar park to include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity (up to 22MW) with associated substations, transformers, inverters, perimeter fencing, access tracks, CCTV and landscaping.

Land at Hill Farm, Earl Shilton Road, Thurlaston, LE9 7TG.

Public Speaking

Pursuant to Part 4, Section 7 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to public rights of participation in planning applications, the Chairman allowed the following to give a 5 minute presentation:

·         Tom Sylger Jones – Hut on the Hill Planning

DECISION

THAT APPLICATION 21/1386/FUL BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO THE IMPOSITION OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

1.    Statutory 3 year condition.

2.    Development to be built in accordance with approved plans and documents.

3.    Permission granted for a period of 40 years from first export of electricity and site decommissioned and restored after this period.

4.    Decommissioning Scheme to be submitted and approved no later than 39 years from the date of the first export of electricity and implemented as approved.

5.    In the event of site is no longer required for purposes of electricity generation or ceases to operate for a continuous period of 12 months prior to the expiry of the 40 year period; a Decommissioning Scheme shall be submitted and approved.

6.    Programme of archaeological work to be completed to include initial trial trenching to inform a final archaeological mitigation scheme.

7.    Development to be carried out in accordance with the details given on the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) by Amalgam Architects. Plan to be adhered to for the lifetime of the development.

8.    Detailed scheme for landscaping the site to be submitted and approved and implemented in accordance with plan.

9.    Landscaping to be implemented by end of first planting season following commencement of development.

10. Biodiversity Management Plan to be submitted and approved. Strategy to be based on submitted Biodiversity Net Gain metric and LEMP and adhered to for lifetime of the development.

11. Arboricultural Method statement to be submitted and approved and adhered to during construction and decommissioning periods.

12. Details of any external lighting to be submitted and approved prior to its installation.

13. Construction Environmental Management Plan to be submitted and agreed and subsequently adhered to.

14. Methodology for soil stripping, storage and replacement to be submitted and agreed.

15. Method of construction of the solar panels to be in strict accordance with the submitted details showing the “post-driven” method only and not concrete foundations method.

16. Materials and finish, including colour, of ancillary buildings equipment and all enclosures/fencing to be submitted and agreed and subsequently complied with.

17. Details of surface water drainage to be submitted and approved.

18. Details of management of surface water during construction to be submitted and approved.

19. Details of long-term maintenance of surface water drainage system to be submitted and approved.

20. Details of infiltration testing confirming suitability of site for use of infiltration drainage to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.