Issue - meetings

22/501335/FULL Land North Of Little Cheveney Farm, Sheephurst Lane, Marden, Kent

Meeting: 20/10/2022 - Planning Committee (Item 129)

129 22/501335/FULL - INSTALLATION OF A RENEWABLE ENERGY LED GENERATING STATION COMPRISING OF GROUND-MOUNTED PV SOLAR ARRAYS, ASSOCIATED ELECTRICITY GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT COMPRISING OF STORAGE CONTAINERS, ACCESS TRACKS, FENCING, GATES AND CCTV TOGETHER WITH THE CREATION OF WOODLAND AND BIODIVERSITY ENHANCEMENTS - LAND NORTH OF LITTLE CHEVENEY FARM, SHEEPHURST LANE, MARDEN, KENT PDF 306 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Development Management.

In introducing the application, the Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that some Members may have received a pamphlet from the applicant earlier that day pointing out inter alia that the biodiversity net gain from the proposal was extremely high (approximately 50%), which was accepted. However, it should be remembered that the land was classed as the best and most versatile agricultural land and should be suitable for crop production. In her view, the positive biodiversity net gain of the proposal did not outweigh the identified harm to the locality, the character and appearance of the countryside, the setting of heritage assets and specific harm to species (badgers and skylarks), Ancient Woodland and the Lesser Teise.

Ms Springhall, an objector, Councillor Goff of Collier Street Parish Council, Ms Clarke, for the applicant, and Councillor Russell, Visiting Member, addressed the meeting in person.

RESOLVED: That permission be refused for the reasons set out in the original report.

Voting: 12 – For 0 – Against 1 – Abstention