Agenda item

            That planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report of the Head of Planning. 

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

                        The officer detailed the background to the report explaining that the main issues were the highway implications, the effects upon the visual appearance and character of the landscape together with the effects upon the nearby Scheduled Ancient Monument of Ffrith y Garregwen Round Barrow and the effects upon badgers.  He explained that the site was located near to the ClwydianRange and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and due to the proposal’s height and elevated site and the open nature of this part of the landscape, it was considered that the mast could be viewed from a number of public viewpoints.  It was also reported that the proposals would detrimentally affect the setting of the Scheduled AncientMonument and the application was therefore recommended for refusal. 

                        Mr. S. Salt, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He said that the application would assist in developing renewable energy resources and added that he had hoped that the application would be deferred following their formal request in writing.  He was surprised at the recommendation of refusal given the need to harness alternative energy sources and facilities for the testing of renewable energy resources and referred to Welsh Government policies on the issue.  Mr. Salt indicated that the application was not for a wind farm development and that in his view, the siting of the mast for a temporary period would not have a detrimental impact on the ClwydianRange.  He suggested that the applicants would reduce the temporary period to two years and reduce the height of the mast from 80m to 60m.    

            Councillor Jim Falshaw proposed the recommendation for refusal which was duly seconded.  He detailed his reasons for agreeing with the officer recommendation which included that the mast would be visible from several viewpoints; the adverse visual impact on the locality, the proposed structure would not enhance the area of the ClwydianRange and due to its height and design it would adversely impact on the AONB. 

            Councillor Richard Jones also spoke against the application and that only one of the grounds for refusal had been addressed by the applicant in his request for deferral. He believed it should be refused on three grounds which were height, nature and location of the proposal due to its effect on the AONB and the Scheduled AncientMonument.  He said that it was contrary to seven Council policies and several statutory consultees had objected to the application.  Councillor Alison Halford referred to a letter which had been sent by the applicant to the Members of the Committee which detailed the proposals but she felt that the mast in this location was not appropriate.  Councillor Mike Peers felt that deferment undermined what was in the letter and said that the testing of wind resources on this site seemed to be a pre-cursor for a wind farm development.  Councillor Carolyn Thomas said that the application should be looked at in the wider context and that the site was one of the best views in the AONB. 

            In summing up, Councillor Falshaw said that the application should be refused due to its adverse impact on the landscape and the quality of the landscape.       

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be refused for the reasons detailed in the report of the Head of Planning.