To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Boddington and Roger Evans.

To confirm the minutes of the Southern Planning Committee meeting held on 18 October 2022

Contact Tim Ward (01743) 257713.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the South Planning Committee held on 18 October 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday, 10 November 2022

There were no public questions

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

In respect of agenda item 5 Councillor Nigel Lumby declared that he was the Local Member and that he would make a statement and then withdraw from the meeting and take no part in the debate or voting.

In respect of agenda items 7 and 8 Councillor Christian Lea declared that he was the Local Member and that he would withdraw from the meeting and take no part in the debate or voting.

Construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm with battery storage and associated infrastructure, including inverters, substations, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping 

In accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees, Councillor Nigel Lumby, Local Member made a statement and then left the meeting and took no part in the debate or vote

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an application for the Construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm with battery storage and associated infrastructure, including inverters, substations, security cameras, fencing, access tracks and landscaping and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the layout proposed.

The Principal Planner confirmed that members had attended a site visit and drew Member’s attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representations, and to a second submission on the planning portal by Councillor Lumby around food security which had been omitted from the schedule of late representations.

Andrew Gilson, local resident, spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Ros Keeton, local resident, spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

The Solicitor read out a statement from Dave Slatcher on behalf of Boningale Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Nigel Lumby, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Matt Lomax, (Applicant), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members commented that the proposed lay out  was sympathetic and would not have an adverse effect on the surrounding area and that the benefits of the production of renewable energy, the net biodiversity and hedgerow gain, and the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Peppermill Farmhouse outweighed the impact on the green belt and the potential loss of productivity of the grade 1 and 2 farmland.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1, a Section 106 agreement securing funding to refurbish the  Grade II Listed Pepperhill Farmhouse and the amendment of condition 22 to read: -

All photovoltaic panels and other structures constructed in connection with the approved development shall be physically removed from the Site within 40 years of the date of first export of electricity from the Site and the Site shall be reinstated to agricultural fields. The Local Planning Authority shall be provided with not less than one week’s notice in writing of the intended date for commencement of decommissioning works under the terms of this permission

Temporary change of use from Methodist Church and Respite Centre to living accommodation (retrospective application)

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an application for the Temporary change of use from Methodist Church and Respite Centre to living accommodation and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location, layout and elevations.

Councillor Heather Kidd, local Ward Councillor made a statement in favour of the application in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members welcomed the application which would provide accommodation for three generations of a Ukrainian refugee family.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1

Erect and display four sponsorship signs placed on the roundabout

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an advertising application for the erection and display of four sponsorship signs placed on the roundabout and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location and proposed layout.

The Principal Planner reminded the meeting that this application had been deferred from the meeting in July to allow further discussion with Bridgnorth Town Council regarding the ongoing maintenance of the roundabout and that this matter had now been resolved.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1

Erect and display 4No sponsorship signs placed on the A458 Stourbridge Road/Old Worcester Road Roundabout and 4No sponsorship signs on A458/A442 Kidderminster Road roundabout and 4No sponsorship signs on A458/B4364 Ludlow Road roundabout

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an advertising application for the erection and display of four sponsorship signs placed on the A458 Stourbridge Road/Old Worcester Road Roundabout, the A458/A442 Kidderminster Road roundabout and the A458/B4364 Ludlow Road roundabout and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the location and proposed layout.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 15 November 2022 be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday,13 December 2022

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 13 December 2022