Agenda and minutes

Councillors Mordue, Morgan and Stanier gave their apologies.

Councillor Collins sat as a substitute in place of Councillor Mordue. Councillor Waite sat in place of Councillor Stanier.

Members noted the appointment of Councillor Mordue as Vice-Chairman of the North Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee for the ensuing year.

To approve as correct records the minutes of the meetings held on 6 April and 18 May 2022

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meetings held on 6^th April and 18^th May 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Cooper declared an interest as he knew the applicant and had had previous disagreements related to planning matters when he represented Slapton as a Ward Member. He had been reminded by one of the registered public speakers that application 21/02775/APP was due to be considered at the meeting but had not passed personal comment on the matter and remained open minded on the application.

Councillor Gomm declared an interest as he had competed horses at the neighbouring Bury Farm Equestrian Centre and knew other attendees of those events. He did not know the owner however, and remained open minded on the application.

Councillor Town Declared an interest as a Ward Member for Slapton, but indicated he was not predetermined in any way and had come to the committee meeting with an open mind.

Proposal: Construction of a solar farm.

Speakers

Parish Council: Councillor Alec Packham (Slapton Parish Council)

Objector: Mr Matt Hensey

Agent: Mr Andrew Staley

Local Member: Councillor Peter Brazier

Note: Having arrived after the commencement of the officer’s presentation on the item, Councillor Osibogun declared that he would not vote on the item.

It was proposed by Councillor Gomm (2:06:36), seconded by Councillor Town (2:16:11) but not voted upon:

that application 21/02775/APP be deferred for consideration at a future meeting of the committee to allow Members to attend a site visit.

It was proposed by Councillor Stuchbury (2:04:43), seconded by Councillor Cooper (2:20:46) and

RESOLVED:

that application 21/02775/APP be approved subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report and as amended in the update accompanying the report, in addition to the following conditions:

·       Condition 4 would be updated to specify that the nature of the final design, finish and material to be used for the panel arrays must be non-reflective.

Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in a manner which minimises the visual impact on the character of the rural area and to comply with policies BE2, NE4, NE1, NE2, NE8, BE3 of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan and the advice within the National Planning Policy Framework.

·       Condition 12 would be updated to specify that the hedges planted alongside the footpath as part of the landscaping scheme be 1.5m tall and consist of mixed native species. Similarly, hedging along the canal should be 3.5m tall with additional appropriate planting to be carried out around the compound and to ensure any planting is at least 600mm in height.

Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in a manner which minimises the visual impact on the character of the rural area and to comply with policies BE2, NE4, NE1, NE2, NE8, BE3 of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan and the advice within the National Planning Policy Framework.

·       The following wording of condition 14, ‘…and the land restored to its previous state…’ to be updated to specify, ‘(greenfield, agricultural land)’.

Reason: In order to protect the visual amenity and character of the surrounding countryside and to ensure the development only exists for the lifetime of the development in accordance with policies C3, NE1, NE4, NE8, BE1 and BE2 of the VALP (2021).

To confirm Members’ availability to undertake site visits on [insert date] if required.

Details on any site visits deemed appropriate to occur prior to an application’s consideration at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee would be communicated to Members as necessary.

29 June 2022 at 2.30 pm

29^th June 2022.