To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nigel Lumby, Tony Parsons, Richard Huffer, Nick Hignett, and Ed Potter.

CouncillorGwilym Butler substituted for Councillor Lumby, Councillor Rachel Connolly substituted for Councillor Parsons, Councillor Nigel Hartin substituted for Councillor Huffer, Councillor Joyce Barrow substituted for Councillor Hignett, and Councillor Claire Wild substituted for Councillor Potter.

To confirm the minutes of the Southern Planning Committee meeting held on 25 July 2023.

Contact Tim Ward (01743) 257713.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Southern Planning Committee held on 25 July 2023 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 Wednesday 13September 2023.

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.

Proposed Solar Farm (40MW), 12MW co-located battery energy storage facility with sub-station, ancillary buildings, structures, landscaping, emergency lighting and access from A4117

The Principal Planner introduced the application which was an application for a Solar Farm (40MW), 12MW co-located battery energy storage facility with sub-station, ancillary buildings, structures, landscaping, emergency lighting and access from A4117 and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, he drew Members’ attention to the to the location and layout.

The Principal Planner confirmed that members had attended a site visit and drew attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representations and copies of additional information from the Council’s Senior Conservation Officer which Members had before them.

Sebastian Phillips spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Jeff Garraway spoke on behalf of Ludford Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Katherine Wheeler spoke on behalf of Bitterley Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Viv Parry, local Ward Councillor spoke against the application in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Duncan Howle, (Agent), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to a question Mr Howle confirmed that no discussion had taken place with the landowner regarding the use of the land to the west of the application site as there was no agreement to use this land.

A Member commented that they felt that there had been a lack of consultation with residents and the local parish councils which if it had taken place may have been able to resolve some of the objections raised and prevented last minute amendments to the scheme.

Members expressed concerns regarding the effect of the proposals on the heritage site adjacent to the site but felt that the proposed mitigations reduced this effect and that the benefits of the proposals outweighed the harm.

A Member commented that they felt that the small amount of best and most versatile land should be removed from the proposal.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out in appendix one of the report, and a supplementary condition to deliver additional heritage stand-off’

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 19 September 2023 be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday 17^th October 2023 , in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall.