Agenda item

12.1  FPL/2023/108  - Syr Thomas Jones School, Amlwch

FPL/2023/108

12.2  FPL/2023/66 – Hen Blas, Bethel, Bodorgan

FPL/2023/66

12.1 FPL/2023/108 – Full application for installing various fences measuring 2.2 metres, 2.9 metres and 3.2 metres high with matching gates at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Pentrefelin, Amlwch

The application was reported to the Planning and Orders Committee as the land is owned by the Council.

The Development Management Manager reported that the application is to install various fences and gates measuring 2.2m, 2.9m and 3.2m at several locations around the school. The fences will be high-quality galvanized security fences with green polyester coating Fortex. The fences and gates are required to safeguard the site and will be located on the school premises and will not obstruct visibility from the existing vehicular accesses. The proposal complies with all the relevant policies, and it is not considered that it will negatively affect the area, the setting of the Grade II listed building of the school or any neighbouring properties. The recommendation is therefore to approve the application.

Councillor Geraint Bebb proposed, seconded by Councillor Liz Wood, that the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and report subject to the conditions set out therein.

12.2 FPL/2023/66 – Full application for the siting of 120 35.KW solar panels on land at Hen Blas, Bethel, Bodorgan

The application was reported to the Planning and Orders Committee having been called in by a Local Member for the reason there would be local concern.

The Development Management Manager reported that the proposal entails the installation of 120 solar panels which will be arranged in two banks running east to west and will generate 35kw of electricity for the applicant’s residential dwelling. The panels will be located at ground level and mounted on a steel frame covering a total area extending to 194m2. Although located in the open countryside the site is well screened from the highway by mature hedges and trees except for a small section where there is a gap in the hedge to accommodate visibility at the site access. The views from this gap are brief and would not have a drastic impact on the character on the area. A substantial amount of landscaping is proposed as part of the application which will screen this view over time. The countryside within which the proposal is located is sparsely developed with the nearest neighbouring property 100m to the northwest and the nearest property facing the front of the panels over 330m away. The panels will have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years after which they can be replaced, subject to planning permission, or removed in accordance with the restoration and aftercare scheme submitted as part of the application. The way in which the panels are fixed to the ground will have minimal impact and will allow the land to return to its former condition at the end of the functioning life of the panels. The Officers are satisfied that the scheme complies with the relevant policies of the JDLP and will have no impact on residential amenity in the area. The recommendation is therefore to approve the application.

Councillor Nicola Roberts who as a Local Member had called in the application due to concern about potential loss of quality agricultural land and the proposal’s impact on nearby listed buildings confirmed that having understood that the proposal will be for residential use only and having received no objections from the locality, she did not oppose the application.

The Development Management Manager responding to a query by the Committee about the scale of the proposal for residential use and whether any contribution could be made to the community, advised that the level of electricity generated by the panels is relatively low commensurate with what a domestic dwelling uses in a day and is therefore insufficient to be able to be of benefit to the community. The proposal is a micro scale development in line with Policy ADN 2. The Officer further advised regarding the continued use of the land for grazing purposes that the applicant had confirmed that the method of fixing the panels to the ground will allow continued grazing around and between the panels meaning there will be no long-term effect on the land as agricultural grazing land.

Councillor Geraint Bebb proposed, seconded by Councillor Neville Evans that the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation.

It was resolved to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation and report subject to the conditions set out therein.