Meeting documents

To consider a report by the Service Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Economy on planning application 6/2018/0567 - for the installation of a new Power

Generation Plant, incorporating 2 x 12MW gas engines within an engine hall;

selective catalytic reduction units; waste heat recovery units incorporated within 2 x

15.2 M exhaust stacks and associated works, together with the

decommissioning of 2 x existing gas turbines and waste heat recovery unit at

Wytch Farm Gathering Station, Wytch Farm, Isle of Purbeck.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Economy on planning application 6/2018/0567 for proposals for the installation of a new power generation plant, incorporating 2 x 12 megawatt (MW) engines within an engine hall; selective catalytic reduction units; waste heat recovery units incorporated within 2 x 15.2 m high exhaust stacks and associated works, together with the decommissioning of 2 existing gas turbines and a waste heat recovery unit at Wytch Farm Gathering Station, Wytch Farm, Corfe Castle.

The Committee were provided with a visual presentation and, taking into consideration the provisions of the Update Sheet appended to these minutes, for context, officers described the main proposals and planning issues in detail, covering the key elements of the proposals and what these entailed and what they were designed to achieve. The purpose of the development was to generate more electricity on-site, reducing the significant ongoing costs associated with importing electricity and also would have additional benefits in terms of greater energy efficiency and self-sufficiency. The existing gas turbines were approximately 30% efficient and did not currently represent best practice for onsite power generation as well as them ageing and becoming less reliable.

A brief history of the operations at the site was also drawn to members’ attention. Officers explained what oil production processes took place at the Gathering Station, what this entailed and how this was achieved.  The activities and operations proposed to be undertaken were described in detail by officers. An explanation was provided of how the power would be generated, what it would be used for and why this was necessary. The proposals were designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the oil production process and how the site was able to be managed.

Officers explained he need for the new energy plant to provide a more efficient and environmentally acceptable means of generating greater amounts of electricity on site in order to reduce operating expenses and the current need to depend on energy supplies from alternative sources off site. The presentation also confirmed what associated works would be necessary to complement the installations, including how the old turbines would be decommissioned and what the access arrangements being proposed would be.

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the characteristics of the Gathering Station and the wider oilfield site; its location within the site; and were able to show how the management of the installation and the continued oil production operations would be progressed. Visual illustrations showed the location and design of the facilities, explaining how they were to be constructed and showing their dimensions, form, mass and size and the materials to be used.

Members were provided with aerial views across the site from various directions. How the development would be screened and what would be used to do this, where the turbines would be situated, and the appearance of the development were all drawn to the attention of the Committee. Officers referred to the detailed design of the application and all that was necessary.

Officers also explained the context of the development in relation to the characteristics of the surrounding landscape and settlement pattern and the rest of Wytch Farm, the local highway network, the topography and geology of the area; how the ecology of the area would be safeguarded; and the relationship between the development and the neighbouring environmentally designated areas in that part of Purbeck, including the Dorset AONB and Heritage Coast. Also shown was the development’s relationship with the parish of Corfe Castle.

How the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was applied; what the

Planning Assessment took into consideration; and the part this should play in the Committee’s decision making process, was detailed in the report.

The application’s consultation exercise had shown that the County Councillor for South Purbeck, Purbeck District Council, Corfe Castle Parish Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and County Council officers had not raised any objections to the proposals, with officers being confident that in respect of any particular considerations raised, these could be sufficiently covered by conditions.

Officers explained that the main issues to be considered were the visual impact and the potential impact of nitrogen oxide and ammonia deposits on the nearby European protective wildlife sites. Having shown the Committee photographs of the site, officers considered that the landscape impact was acceptable.  Officers had discussed the impact of nitrogen oxide and ammonia deposition with the Council’s Natural Environment Team and Natural England who were content that the proposal would not lead to critical loads being exceeded given the proposed conditions.

Officers explained that the opportunity was being taken by the applicant, Perenco, to make an investment that was not only more efficient and environmentally acceptable, but which would adequately serve the site throughout its permitted lifetime of 2037, and their recommendation was being made on that basis.

The Committee were then provided with the opportunity to ask questions of the

officer’s presentation and officer’s provided clarification in respect of the points raised, including the expected lifetime of the development and the ecological impacts and monitoring of emissions from the gas engines. Members were satisfied with the responses received in their more meaningful understanding of what the proposals entailed. Members accepted that the monitoring arrangements of any emissions associated with the operations were satisfactory.

The Committee recognised how what was being proposed would benefit the operations at the site, having regard to the NPPF’s requirement to give great weight to the benefits of mineral extraction. The Committee considered that the improvements being made to Perenco’s operations would provide environmental improvements and would continue to bring benefits for economic growth and local employment opportunities.

Given this, and having had an opportunity to consider the merits of the application; having understood what was being proposed; having taken into account the officer’s report, what they had heard at the meeting from the case officer and legal advisor, the Committee were satisfied in their understanding of what the proposals entailed in addressing the identified need and in the benefits that would be achieved. On that basis - and on being put to the vote - the Committee agreed that the planning application should be approved, and planning permission granted, subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report and having regard to the provisions of the Update Sheet.

Resolved

That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 9.1 of the Service Director’s report.

Reason for decision

The public, employment, environmental and economic benefits to be gained from the continued success of the met the objectives of the Corporate Plan in enabling improvements to economic growth, investment and quality of life.