Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director (Planning)

The Principal Development Management Officer took the meeting through a presentation on this application for the installation of a 10 megawatt solar farm with 1.5 megawatts of battery storage, associated landscaping and ecological improvements. The item had been called in by Cllr Moore as it raised sensitive planning matters that would benefit from the Committee’s consideration. Concerns had also been raised about visual impacts and glare on the adjacent nature reserve, and the need to ensure land was returned to its former condition after the lifetime of the development.

Following publication of the officer report, some changes to the conditions were proposed. A new condition was proposed to  move the security fencing; the applicant was willing to relocate the perimeter fencing via a planning condition so it did not intersect with the Wildlife Site at the entrance to the site. The new condition would also allow access for future management of the Local Wildlife Sites and Local Nature Reserves. Two existing conditions were also updated to reflect the fact that this additional information would be provided. The wording of the new condition and amendments to the existing conditions were shown to members in the presentation.

Stuart Downs, applicant’s agent, addressed the committee:

“Good evening, members, my name is Stuart Downs, and I'm a planner representing the applicant for this proposal. We stand at a critical juncture. Climate change poses a severe threat to our way of life, impacting food security, species loss and contributing to poverty, human displacement and severe weather events. In light of this, we are continually reminded of the urgent need to decarbonise our society and shift towards sustainable renewable energy sources. This proposal aims to contribute to that vital transition. The solar installation is a fully privately funded and led initiative, representing an investment of millions of pounds into the national energy grid. As such, the Council can achieve its aims as set out in its declaration of a climate emergency without placing any burden on the taxpayer. The development will deploy 10 megawatts of clean energy within Welwyn Hatfield, sufficient to power over 3,000 homes each year and saving 1,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. In a single stroke this application would nearly triple Welwyn Hatfield’s current renewable energy production, increasing it by nearly 200%. The development site faces no physical limitations that would impede its early progress and a grid connection offer has been secured. Consequently, the scheme possesses the potential to make an early impact to the ultimate goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

Concerns about the visual impact of solar farms have been addressed in this proposal. The site is highly screened with minimal visibility from the nearby land. It adjoins an urban setting on land not currently used for agriculture or leisure. The project will support a new agricultural use between the solar arrays, enhance local biodiversity by 23% and create jobs. The installation is temporary with a 25 year operational period. Therefore, any perceived harm to the Green Belt will be limited and reversible.

The current cost of living crisis, rising energy bills as seen in the Templewood application earlier tonight, and energy security concerns underscore the need for a reliable domestic renewable energy supply that is independent of the whims of foreign hostile states. By increasing this capacity we enhance the UK's energy security and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. Ultimately this will lead to lower wholesale energy prices and in turn reduced costs for consumers.

Given the critical need for renewable energy, the public benefits of the proposal are substantial. The development will not only help meet our climate and security objectives, but would also bolster our local economy through job creation, investment and the provision of clean energy. I respectfully urge you to approve this application as a meaningful step towards a greener and more secure energy future for Welwyn Hatfield and the UK. Thank you.”

The following points were made during the discussion:

·        The three steel shipping containers would be located to the front of the site (not towards the river or more sensitive wildlife areas) and would be largely screened by the vegetation alongside the western boundary of the site. However it was acknowledged there would also be palisade fencing surrounding the site and there may be glimpsed views from pedestrians travelling along the A6129 in a southerly direction.

·        The site is in the green belt which would result in harm but the benefits, particularly in terms of renewable energy and the instant grid connection, as well as Biodiversity Net Gain of 23%, would outweigh this harm.0   

·        It was confirmed the landowner was J Reddington Limited and that the land would not be leased over the 25 year period; there would be a connection to a UK Power Networks substation located outside the site.

·        Clean renewable energy would be produced to power the equivalent of 3,000 homes via the local electricity distribution network which serves the needs of the borough, although this would not necessarily directly benefit local residents in terms of a visible reduction in energy bills.

·        The site has dense foliage and appears as a ‘bowl’; in winter when the foliage falls away it may be more visible.  

RESOLVED

(For 12, Against 0, Abstention 0)

That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and discussed during the presentation..