Agenda and draft minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. There were none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last Planning Committee A meeting held on 22 July 2024.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 22 July 2024 were approved as a correct record subject to the following changes:

                   The wording of the resolution for the York Central application [23/02255/REMM] being amended to

                   Under public speakers for the York Central application [23/02255/REMM] the sixth bullet point under David Sweetings submission to begin ‘The use of the facades for bird boxes’

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Tuesday, 3 September 2024.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general matters within the remit of the Planning Committee A.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning applications:

Members considered a schedule of reports of the Head of Planning and Development, relating to the following planning applications, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views of consultees and officers.

Installation of a solar farm with associated infrastructure, access, security fencing and landscaping [Rural West York Ward].

Members considered a major full application from Mark Wood for the Installation of a solar farm with associated infrastructure, access, security fencing and landscaping on land to the south of New Farm, Lords Lane, Nether Poppleton, York.

The Head of Planning and Development Services outlined and gave a presentation on the application. In response to a Member question she showed the site of the clay extraction site, to the south of the site.

Members were provided with an update noting that the applicant had agreed to the upgrading of passing places on Newlands Lane between its junction with the A59 and Lord’s Lane. This had been amended in Conditions 19 and 20.  Members were advised that there was an amendment to condition 14 to refer to an updated Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP). Clarification was given on the terminology EIA development, and it was confirmed that there had been additional representation from a local property expressing concern in respect of Area A of the proposal. He was asked by a Member where the passing places on Newlands Lane between its junction with the A59 and Lord’s Lane were on the site layout.

Public Speakers

Geoff Beacon spoke on the application regarding car provision and the green belt. He cited research on the green belt.

Scott Johnson spoke in support of the application on behalf of the applicant. He detailed the assessment of the site and engagement with the landowners of the site. He explained that the land was flat and was screened by hedgerows. He noted Poppleton Parish Council’s input into the plans and that public consultation had been carried out. He added that the applicant had engaged with Newlands Farm. He added that the solar farm would have a net benefit to wildlife and noted the key benefits of the supply of clean energy. In response to Member questions Scott Johnson explained that:

There was 32.6 megawatts at peak power. He noted that peak power was close to export power.

It was necessary to decommission the solar farm after 30 years due to the uncertainties in technology and solar technology.

Officers were then asked and explained the passing places for construction traffic and they confirmed that the impact on the Public Right of Way (PROW) network would be during the construction of the solar farm.

Following debate, Cllr Fisher moved the Officer recommendation to approve the application after referral to the Secretary of State and subject to the conditions listed in the report and amendment to conditions 14, 19 and 20. This was seconded by Cllr Fenton. Following a unanimous vote in favour it was:

Resolved: That the application be given approval after referral to the Secretary of State subject to the conditions listed in the report and amendment to conditions 14, 19 and 20:

Condition 14

Updated Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

Condition 19

The development hereby permitted shall not come into use until the following highway works (which definition shall include works associated with any Traffic Regulation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

Reserved matters application for layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access of 280 dwellings and associated infrastructure following outline planning permission 21/00305/OUTM [Huntington/New Earswick].

Members considered a reserved matters application from Barratt David Wilson Homes for the layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access of 280 dwellings and associated infrastructure following outline planning permission 21/00305/OUTM at Huntington South Moor, New Lane, Huntington, York.

The Head of Planning and Development Services outlined and gave a presentation on the application. Members asked several questions to which she explained that:

Concerning the different colours of highways on the site plan, some cul-de-sac areas had private drives which would be block paved (shown in white). The pink areas showed where tarmac would be used.

She showed where the water attenuation tank and play areas were.

All car parking spaces were large enough for disabled parking and there was visitor parking on the highway. It was explained where visitor parking was scattered around the site.

Public Speakers

Yann Golanski, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application. He explained that the applicant had a lack of concern to the residents of Sadlers and Forge Closes. He noted that there had been a lack of consultation and he explained his concerns about the impact of the scheme on levels of light and wildlife.

Geoff Beacon spoke on the application regarding car provision and the green belt. He suggested that most new residents would be affluent and there would be a high level of car emissions. He noted that the scheme was against the NPPF and the carbon emissions expected could not be considered sustainable.

Liam Tate spoke in support of the application on behalf of the applicant. He noted that consultees had provided feedback into the proposal and he explained public engagement during consultation. He explained that the scheme included 30% affordable housing and provided substantial open space. He added that the scheme would made a S106 contribution of £3.6million. In response to Member questions he explained that:

Regarding the integrity of the hedgerow at the cemetery the applicant would be meeting with the cemetery committee. He added that there was a play area to the east of the cemetery and there would be a 6m high security fence on the boundary to the cemetery.

The two play areas were not restricted to age ranges and they would have a range of equipment for a wider group of children. It was explained that a play area had moved after discussion with the owner of Huntington Grange.

The location of the benches on the site was explained.

[At this point the Head of Planning and Development Services was asked and confirmed that car parking was a material planning consideration].

There was a requirement to provide a number of parking spaces per dwelling.

The site was a sustainable site with public transport links.

All the houses had Electric Vehicle (EV) charging.

The safeguards in place for the protection of trees. He added that the applicant could look at covenants in relation to the trees at the point of sale of the properties.

What the different highway colours on the site plan showed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.