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Agenda item
Rocklands Private Caravan Park, Rocklands Lane, Hastings (HS/FA/23/00344)
Minutes:
Proposal
Application No
HS/FA/23/00344
Conservation Area
No
Listed Building
No
Public Consultation
Yes (9 Objections)
The Principal Planning Officer presented the application for the erection of 30 ground based solar panels with associated base and electrical cabling (includes renewable energy).
One additional representation had been received, objecting to the application, from a member of the public who had made representations previously, re-iterating the points previously raised, which are addressed in the report.
It was noted that Friends of the Country Park Nature Reserve commented on the application, neither objecting nor supporting. Officers are satisfied they have enough information to assess the proposal.
Councillors were shown plans and photographs of the application site. The Principal Planning Officer explained there would be a hedge screen and dense tree cover directly in front of the proposed area. The solar panels will be in a single row on a former caravan pitch and have a dark anti glare coating.
The panels are 0.9 meters high which is lower than the hedge which screens the area with a condition for the hedge to be retained.
Councillor Collins asked regarding ignition risk. The Planning Officer explained there was no objection from the East Sussex Fire and Rescue or Environmental Health, and that it was not a planning consideration as it was covered by other legislation.
Councillor Sinden asked a question regarding the storage of power. The Principal Planning Officer explained the generators that the solar panels will be connected to are already in situ.
Councillors debated.
Councillor Beaney proposed approval of the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Sinden.
RESOLVED (Unanimously)
Grant Full Planning Permission subject to the following conditions:
1.
The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.
2.
The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:
21.408/02F, Manufacturers Specification (LONGI)
3.
The existing hedgerow east of the proposed solar panel array, and shown on approved drawing 21.408/02F, shall be retained at all times the solar panels remain in situ and shall be maintained at a minimum height of 1.5m above ground level along the entire eastern side of the application site. Should the hedgerow become damaged, diseased or die it should be replaced within the next planting season at a planted height that is greater than the solar panels.
4.
No development shall take place until temporary protective fences to safeguard the trees and hedges to be retained on the site have been erected in accordance with the current BSI 5837 standards and to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority. All such fences shall be kept in a sound, upright and complete condition until the development has been completed and/or the Local Planning Authority confirm in writing that the works have been sufficiently completed for the fencing to be removed.
5.
All arboricultural measures and/or works shall be carried out in accordance with the details contained in Tree Survey Arboricultural Impact Assessment & Tree Protection Plan (AR/29614) as already submitted with the planning application and agreed in principle with the Local Planning Authority prior to determination.
Reasons:
1.
This condition is imposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
2.
For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.
3.
In the interest of protecting the setting of designated heritage assets and the local landscape.
4.
In the interests of visual amenity.
5.
In the interests of visual amenity.
Notes to the Applicant
1.
Failure to comply with any condition imposed on this permission may result in enforcement action without further warning.
2.
Statement of positive engagement: In dealing with this application Hastings Borough Council has actively sought to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner, in accordance with paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Supporting documents:
- MAP HS-FA-23-00344 Rocklands Private Caravan Park, Rocklands Lane, item 4a PDF 156 KB
- HS-FA-23-00344 Rocklands Private Caravan Park, Rocklands Lane, item 4a PDF 117 KB
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