Agenda item

Planning application DNS/00422 – DNS (Development of National Significance) – Proposed Solar Park (DNS/3213164) at land at Penderi, Blaenhiraeth Farm, Llangennech, Llanelli, SA14 8PX

(NOTE:

1.     The Chair advised that Councillor G.B. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this application had left the meeting during the comfort break and would not be participating in its consideration;

2. At 1:00 pm the Committee’s attention was drawn to Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 9 – Duration of Meeting and, as the meeting had been underway for three hours, it was resolved to suspend standing orders, in accordance with CPR 23.1, to enable the Committee to complete the remaining business on the agenda.]

The Committee was advised that following the submission to the Welsh Government of two Developments of National Significance (DNS) for solar renewable energy schemes within Carmarthenshire at LLangennech and near Tycroes, the Council, as a consultee, was required to produce a Local Impact Report (LIR) highlighting potential local impacts that would need to be assessed by the Welsh Government in its consideration of the applications. Whilst the LIR would be completed by the Head of Planning, for which delegated authority was required, the Committee was informed it could make its own observations to the Welsh Government. Those could be noted in the minutes of the meeting and ratified at its meeting to be held on the 8^th October 2020 prior to submission to the Government on the 9^th October.

It was noted that the current application related to the Llangennech site only and that a report on the Tycroes application would be submitted to a future meeting.

The Committee thereupon received a report and slide presentation, including drone footage of the three locations detailed in application reference DNS/00422 whereby the following observations were made.

·       The Committee referred to the issue of potential community benefits which could accrue to the three local community councils from the development and to the without prejudice agreement in place to discuss those benefits. Whilst accepting the issue of community benefits was not a material planning consideration for which it could have regard to views were expressed that every effort should be made to maximise any benefit for those communities.

·       Reference was made to the materials and building practices to be used in the construction of the solar park and to what measures would be put in place to ensure it’s safe de-commissioning at the end of its 35year life span. For example, would that include a requirement for a bond payment to ensure sufficient funds were available to undertake the work in the event of the developer ceasing to operate during that life span.

The Development Control officer advised that the provision for a de-commissioning plan, together with any bond requirement, would be considered by the planning inspector and could be conditioned as part of any planning consent

·       Reference was made to the materials used in the manufacture of the solar panels, which included the use of acids, and views expressed that plans for their decommissioning should have regard to those materials to ensure their safe removal and treatment to prevent any leakage and subsequent ground contamination. That was particularly important in relation to the provisions of the Future Generations Act to protect the land for future generations.

The Committee was advised that production of an end of life decommissioning plan would be considered by the planning inspector and, if required, would be conditioned appropriately which could include the safe removal/treatment of the panels to avoid any potential ground contamination

·       In response to a question on background noise from the development, the committee was advised that a noise assessment had been submitted with the application that identified two potential noise sources. The first related to ‘buzzing’ emitted by the electrical transformers. The second from rain water falling onto the panels. Both those points would be considered by the planning inspector

·       In response to a question on any potential electromagnetic field generated by the development impacting on neighbouring properties, it was stated that had not previously been an issue with developments of this type

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED