Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2023 were confirmed and signed.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

The installation of a battery energy storage system (BESS), together with associated infrastructure, security fencing, CCTV, cable route, landscaping, on-site Biodiversity Net Gain.

The Senior Planning Officer presented an update on the application.

He explained that further guidance had been published regarding fire safety and Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Planning Practice Guidance. This had been published in August 2023, after the application had been submitted to the Council.

The Council had consulted the Fire Service, however they did not receive it. This had come to light at a very late stage in the application process. During discussion with the Fire Service last week a number of matters that needed to be addressed in relation to fire safety were raised.

The applicant had previously engaged in the pre-application process, prior to the updated guidance being issued. Therefore, the Senior Planning Officer requested deferral of the item to allow time to address the matters raised.

Proposed By Cllr Robin Cook, seconded by Cllr Sherry Jespersen.

Decision: that the application be deferred to the next meeting of the Strategic & Technical Planning Committee.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.