®Planning appeal decision
Site at Minchens Lane, Bramley, Hampshire, RG7 2LN
the installation of renewable led energy generating station, comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and battery-based electricity storage containers together with substation, inverter/transformer stations, site accesses, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements including a proposed Forest School, associated car parking and Nature Area
- Authority
- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- utilities-energy · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- McCoy R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the effect of the development proposed on the significance of nearby heritage assets, including below ground archaeology, the Scheduled Late Iron Age oppidum and Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum and associated features, the Grade II Listed Minchens Farmhouse and Buildings at Lower Farm and Old Meadows, and the Silchester Conservation Area
What decided it
The very significant renewable energy, climate change and biodiversity benefits of the scheme clearly and decisively outweighed the localised landscape/visual harm and the less than substantial heritage harm.
The substantial weight given to renewable energy generation, together with significant weight for secure energy supply, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits, decisively outweighed the moderate/slight harm to landscape character and visual amenity and the less than substantial harm to heritage assets.
Framework references: 174, 199, 202, 56
Plan policies cited: Policy EM1, Policy D1, Policy EM8, Policy EM11, Policy EM7, Policy RE1, Policy EM10, Policy CN9, Policy EN8, Policy T2
Judgments cited: Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd v SSE [1982] HC
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.