Purpose

To consider the council's response to the statutory consultation in respect of Lime Down Solar Park.

Decision

Resolved

1) That Cabinet note the contents of the report.

2) That Cabinet agree the proposed response (Appendix 1) as the council’s Relevant Representation.

3) That Cabinet delegate authority to the Director for Planning, Economy and Regeneration to finalise the response and make any necessary changes to it prior to submission to the Planning Inspectorate.

4) That Cabinet acknowledge that the council will submit additional responses during the course of the examination, in accordance with previously agreed delegated authority provisions.

5) That the Executive Summary of the Council’s Relevant Representation be amended as set out below. The paragraph numbers correspond with the paragraphs of the Cabinet report and the amended wording is in bold.

• Para 26. Add… Carbon break-even is not until at least 2076, and may never be achieved in relation to whole life carbon emissions…
• Para 32. Add at the beginning of the paragraph The area has experienced frequent and significant flooding events and the council considers it important that the issues are fully discussed in examination.
• Para 33. Delete… ‘the Council considers that the assessment methodology is robust and generally compliant. It is agreed that the residual harm is ‘less than substantial’ but’...
• Para36. Add… The scheme will increase pressure on PROW and adversely alter user’s recreational experience.
• Para 37. Add… From a public protection perspective, further analysis of noise levels is required. Operational noise from moving panels, BESS… Whilst the air quality and dust migration measures appear to be broadly acceptable.
• Para 38. Add… total spending of at least £1.76m per year.
• Para 39. Delete… without additional protective infrastructure…
• Para 40. Add to the Executive Summary paragraph 50 of the Cabinet report which deals with wellbeing and mental health.
• Para 42. Delete… net positive carbon savings and… also delete short- and medium-term impacts

6) That the main body of the report be amended where necessary in order to be consistent with the revised Executive Summary.

7) That the Relevant Representation be reviewed and approved by the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing before submission to the Planning Inspectorate.

Reasons for Decision

Wiltshire Council is the primary Host Authority for this NSIP scheme, and one of the key statutory consultees. By providing a detailed response to the Examining Authority in its Relevant Representation, the council has the opportunity to influence the key areas to be considered during the examination. The response also highlights where it is considered that further mitigation and additional and / or strengthened commitments are required. This will enable the council to continue to work with Island Green Power and other key stakeholders to further develop the scheme proposals.