Erection of 2No poultry sheds, feed bins, solar voltaic panels, ancillary equipment and alterations to vehicular access.

The Principal Planner introduced the application and with reference to the drawings displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations.  

Members had undertaken a site visit that morning and had viewed the site and the nearby Arvon Centre and assessed the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area. 

Members noted the additional information as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters circulated prior to the meeting.

Mrs H Hamilton, representing local residents, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Mr P Holden, representing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, spoke against the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15) Councillor Nigel Hartin, as local Ward Councillor, made a statement.  He then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.  During his statement, the following points were raised:

·         The site was within the Shropshire Hills AONB;

·         Detailed objections had been received from the Shropshire Hills (AONB) Partnership,  Clun and Clunbury Parish Councils and there had also been an on-line petition;

·         Would be contrary to paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Core Strategy Policies CS16 and CS17;

·         Any gain to the local economy would be minimal and given the possible impact on tourism might even mean a reduction;

·         There would be insufficient measures to mitigate any harm to the River Clun Special Area of Conservation (SAC);

·         The visual impact from the surrounding hills would not be as negligible as claimed in the report;

·         It was in a prominent location, close to the roadside and would be very visible even with the proposed mitigation measures; and

·         He urged refusal.

With the permission of the Chairman and due to the fact that additional speakers had been allowed to speak against the proposal, the agent was permitted to speak for up to six minutes.  Mr S Jones, the agent, spoke for the proposal in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In the ensuing debate, Members noted the comments of all speakers and considered the submitted plans.  Some Members expressed concerns regarding the detrimental impact on the surrounding area, landscape and the high risk to the River Clun SAC.  In response to questions, the Principal Planner and Solicitor provided clarification on the EIA Regulation 22 public consultation process and confirmed that if any new material considerations were raised prior to the end of the consultation process on 16 April 2017, the application would be brought back to this Committee for determination. 

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Members’ view that they be minded to approve the scheme, delegated authority be granted to Planning Officers to issue the decision subject to there being no further material new issues raised prior to expiry of the EIA Regulation 22 public re-consultation deadline on 16April 2017and subject to:

·         The conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, subject to conditions being amended to ensure that external surfaces of the development shall be BS18B29;

·         A Legal Agreement to deliver off-site ecological mitigation measures to protect the Clun Catchment Special Area of Conservation as set out in Appendix 2 to the report; and

·         If any new material considerations be raised during the consultation process the application be brought back to this Committee for determination.