The North and East Plans Panel met to discuss a number of planning applications, including a battery energy storage facility (BESS) at land off Newton Lane, Ledston, which had previously been refused. The panel voted to refuse planning permission for the BESS development, citing inappropriate development on Green Belt land and safety concerns. Councillors also reviewed a pre-application for a residential development at Bramham House, Freely Lane, and approved a rear extension at 10 Lea Croft, Clifford.

Battery Energy Storage Facility off Newton Lane, Ledston

The panel considered a report from the Chief Planning Officer regarding planning application 24/05828/FU for a Battery Energy Storage Facility (BESS) and associated works at land off Newton Lane, Ledston, WF10 2AW. Councillors had previously resolved to refuse planning permission for this item at the meeting in July.

The report before the panel set out reasons for refusal for the members' consideration. These included:

• The proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
• The proposed development does not include adequate mitigation to reduce the risk of fire.

Ward Councillors Councillor James Lewis and Councillor Mary Harland had requested that the application be determined by the Plans Panel.

During the meeting, objectors to the application, including Councillor James Lewis, Adrian Appleyard, Lynne Howard, John Coe and Alan Taylor, addressed the panel, raising concerns about:

• The hypothetical nature of the submission, with nothing defined, including the noise.
• Fire safety concerns.
• Flood risk concerns.
• The development being visually harmful and intrusive.
• The definition of 'Grey Belt'¹ as an emerging policy.

The applicant's representative also attended the meeting and addressed the panel.

Following questions to officers, members commented that:

• Resident's concerns in relation to fire safety are considerable.
• Two points of access should be considered.
• The information provided by officers that this was Grey Belt, was not accepted and therefore the proposal was for inappropriate development in Green Belt.
• This is open field Green Belt land, close to a residential area and close to a nature reserve.

Councillor Millar proposed that the officer's recommendation should be refused, as it was inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Upon voting, this was moved and seconded, and it was;

RESOLVED – To not accept the officer recommendation and be minded to refuse planning permission on the basis of inappropriate development on Green Belt contrary to two specific purposes of the Green Belt from encroachment and failing to assist in urban regeneration and also on the grounds of safety of the development.

Members were informed that a report would be brought back to Panel at a future date for consideration on reasons for refusal.

As part of the discussion, the panel also considered a Summary of Appeal Decisions in respect of proposals for Battery Energy Storage Systems at Westfield Road, Carlton and Warren Lane, Bramham. The report summarised two recent appeal decisions relating to similar BESS developments within the council's administrative boundary. Both appeals were allowed, with the inspectors concluding that each site constituted Grey Belt land and that the BESS development was not inappropriate in the Green Belt.

The Area Planning Manager advised that the Panel were looking as if they were not going to accept the development as it was inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and that members could defer to request further information and advice on Grey Belt.

Residential Development at Bramham House, Freely Lane, Bramham, Wetherby

The panel were informed of a pre-application for the demolition of an existing building, with the front façade re-built, for a residential development of 38 dwelling units at Bramham House, Freely Lane, Bramham, Wetherby, LS23 6QY. The development would comprise 21 houses and 17 apartments, with alterations to existing site accesses, formation of a new access to Freely Lane, associated highway works to Freely Lane, and hard and soft landscaping works.

Councillor Lamb attended the meeting and addressed the Panel, explaining that he wished to give some local context to the application. In summary he informed the Panel of the following points:

• The developers had engaged constructively with local residents, parish councils and ward councillors holding design workshops.
• It was recognised that there would need to be a compromise in the development of the site, especially due to the viability issues, and that affordable homes for local residents were required.
• Freely Lane was a busy road and improvements were welcome, and the development would require sufficient parking for future residents, visitors and deliveries.
• Accessible greenspace would be welcomed, provided this was useable and truly accessible.

Following this, Panel Members provided the following comments:

• There was a need for the developer to ensure there was acceptable parking for future residents.
• It was important to keep the character of Bramham with housing types and materials.
• Affordable housing was a concern for residents, and this should not be part of the compromise.

The panel then provided feedback on a number of questions posed by officers:

• Affordable Housing: The concerns of the Panel Members in relation to affordable housing at this site had been noted. The review of the District Valuer would be reported back to the Panel at the application stage.
• Housing Mix: Members were of the view that smaller houses on this development would help the housing mix and the viability of the site.
• Design and Layout: It was the view of the Panel that stone should be used and not brick, with the development needing to be sympathetic to the Conservation Area setting. It was also the view that adequate parking provision was required for future residents and accessible properties to be located near play areas.
• Relationship to Bramham Conservation Area: Use of stone at this site and the development needed to be sympathetic to local heritage assets.
• Amenity Standards: Change the aspect of the houses so they receive more light and not overshadowed by trees.
• Impact to Trees, Landscaping or Biodiversity: It was welcomed that some trees were to be retained as part of this scheme, so there would be a considerable number of mature trees remaining.
• Access Arrangements, Parking Provision, and Works to Freely Lane: The access from Freely Lane was welcome, more parking was required, and a crossing would be required across Freely Lane.
• Other Matters: The Panel was of the view that this was a complex site which required 'out of the box' consideration by the developers, which may assist with the viability of the scheme.

Rear Extension at 10 Lea Croft, Clifford, Wetherby

The panel considered an application for a part two storey, part single storey rear extension; new entrance door and electric vehicle charging point to front; conversion of garage to habitable room and store with new rooflights to side and window to rear; alterations to openings to both sides and rear; altered patio to rear at 10 Lea Croft, Clifford, Wetherby, Leeds, LS23 6EY.

The application was presented to the panel as a member referral request had been received from Councillor Lamb.

Mr Proctor, a neighbour, attended the meeting as an objector to the application and addressed the Panel, raising concerns about loss of light.

Following questions to officers and comments from Panel Members, a motion was put forward to move the officer recommendation, as per the submitted report. The motion was moved, and seconded, and it was;

RESOLVED- To grant permission subject to the conditions (with amendments or addition to the same as deemed appropriate) as set out in the submitted report. The conditions included:

• Development to be commenced within 3 years
• Development to be carried out in accordance with approved plans
• New walling and roofing materials to match existing
• Rooflights to garage to be obscure glazed and retained as such.