Agenda item

Installation of a solar photovoltaic array/solar farm with associated infrastructure (cross boundary site with Darlington Borough Council).

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding an application for the installation of a solar photovoltaic array/solar farm with associated infrastructure on land west, north and east of Whinfield Farm Brafferton (for copy file of Minutes).

C Teasdale, Principal Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation which included a site location plan, aerial photograph of the site, site layout and site photographs.

Chris Sowerbutts of Lightrock Power addressed the Committee in support of the application.  Mr Sowerbutts thanked the planning officer for the diligent and professional manner she had dealt with the application process.  The process had been so diligent, and the Committee report was so thorough that Mr Sowerbutts did not have a great deal to add.

Mr Sowerbutts founded Lightrock Power with a focus on designing solar power farms to be wildlife friendly because there was a real opportunity for solar to do so.  Their partnership with the RSPB enabled them to go above and beyond industry best practice, for example this proposal achieved a 62% biodiversity net gain where the recently passed Environment Act sought to achieve 10%.  This had been a project which clicked from the start with a lot of people supporting solar energy if it was in the right location.  This was such a location, as evidenced by the lack of objectors.  From community to county stakeholders, everyone had been supportive and encouraging from the outset and it was testament to the people of County Durham that it was attractive to make this kind of investment where it was sensitively located.  County Durham was already recognised as among the leaders of local authorities seeking to address the Climate Emergency through its Climate Emergency Response Plan and there was cross-party support for efforts to address the crisis at every level of government.  The proposal contributed the efforts of the community to address one of the greatest challenges of our time.  There were no objections from statutory stakeholders, there was a supportive local community and a recommendation for approval from the planning officer.

Councillor Jopling considered this was an application she could support.  It met the challenge of climate change and targets for 2050 and would save 12,600 tonnes of CO₂ a year.  Councillor Jopling moved approval of the application.

Councillor Hunt agreed with Councillor Jopling and seconded approval of the application.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the Conditions contained within the report.