Agenda item

To consider an application for installation of a wind turbine 30.5m hub height and 45.07m to blade tip, control box and associated works at Maes Truan, Llanelidan, Ruthin (copy attached).

[Councillor Hugh Evans declared a personal interest because the Applicant carried out farming work for him.  Councillor Huw Williams declared a personal interest because the Applicant had undertaken farming work for him four years ago.]

An application was submitted for installation of a wind turbine 30.5m hub height and 45.07m to blade tip, control box and associated works at Maes Truan, Llanelidan.

Public Speakers –

Mr. M. Brooker (Against) – highlighted concerns over the landscape and visual impact together with associated noise levels from the turbine type.

Mr. A. Jones, Applicant (For) – explained his family’s links with the area and farming community and the need to diversity to provide future viability of the farm.

General Debate – The Planning Officer summarised the report and reasons behind the officers’ recommendation to refuse the application based on landscape and visual impact.  Officers responded to a number of procedural issues raised relating to the application, particularly in terms of the consultation process.

Following assurances that neighbouring properties would not be adversely affected by noise, Councillor Hugh Evans (Local Member) spoke in favour of the application, believing that the local economic benefits outweighed the planning concerns raised.

During a detailed debate members considered the merits of the application and discussed, at length, the material planning considerations together with relevant policies.  It was generally accepted that the diversification project would ensure the viability of the farm and benefit the wider local community and much debate focused on whether those benefits outweighed the visual impact and other material considerations.  Members considered the size and location of turbines in the area in relation to the application site and officers explained the reasoning behind the planning decisions relating to other turbine developments.  It was noted that permission for a 15kW turbine at the site remained extant until January 2015.  Whether granting the application would add to the spread of wind turbines in the area was debatable.  Consideration was given to the objections received from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Advisory Committee (AONB JAC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).  It was noted that the AONB JAC was not a statutory consultee and had not undertaken a site visit leading to questions regarding the sufficiency of their response and role within the process.  Whilst officers had attached significant weight to NRW’s response the strength of their late representations was also subject to debate.  Members considered the impact on neighbouring properties and officers provided assurances that noise could be controlled effectively via planning conditions to ensure no adverse impact and a letter of support from a nearby neighbour was noted.

Proposal – Councillor Stuart Davies considered there was a viable case for farm diversification, the benefits of which outweighed other planning concerns, and he proposed, seconded by Councillor Merfyn Parry that the application be granted, contrary to officer recommendation.

VOTE:

GRANT – 18

REFUSE – 6

ABSTAIN – 3

In light of the committee’s decision members were asked to vote on whether a report on the planning conditions to be applied to the consent and legal agreement issues should be brought back to the committee for approval or powers delegated to officers in liaison with the Chair and Local Member.

VOTE:

REPORT BACK TO COMMITTEE – 11

DELEGATE POWERS TO OFFICERS – 16

ABSTAIN – 0

RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED contrary to officer recommendation, and that power be delegated to officers, in liaison with Chair of the Planning Committee and Local Member, to apply planning conditions to the consent and deal with legal agreement issues arising therefrom.