23/00009/Pan
Perth and Kinross Council · 9 August 2023
Back to Planning and Placemaking Committee — 9 August 2023 and its agenda
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Perth and Kinross Council Planning and Placemaking Committee – 9 August 2023 Pre-Application Report by Head of Planning and Development (Report No. 23/213) Formation of an energy storage facility, including storage units, ancillary structures, substation compound containing transformers, erection of a control building, security and deer fencing, landscaping and associated works on land at Green Burn Wind Farm, Bridge of Cally Ref. No: 23/00009/PAN Ward No: P3 – Blairgowrie and Glens Summary This report is to inform the Committee of a potential forthcoming planning application in respect of a major development for formation of an energy storage facility, including storage units, ancillary structures, substation compound containing transformers, erection of a control building, security and deer fencing, landscaping and associated works on land at Green Burn Wind Farm, Bridge of Cally. The report also aims to highlight the key planning policies and the likely stakeholders who would be involved in the decision making process, and to offer a brief overview of the key planning issues which are likely to be relevant to the proposal. BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION 1. In accordance with the provisions of the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended), the applicants submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) on 26 May 2023. The purpose of this report is to inform the Planning and Placemaking Committee of a forthcoming planning application in respect of a major development for formation of an energy storage facility, including storage units, ancillary structures, substation compound containing transformers, erection of a control building, security and deer fencing, landscaping and associated works on land at Green Burn Wind Farm, Bridge of Cally. 2. Pre-application reports give the Committee an opportunity to raise issues which it would like to see addressed in the planning application. 3. This PoAN seeks to formally establish a major development comprising formation of an energy storage facility, including storage units, ancillary structures, substation compound containing transformers, erection of a control building, security and deer fencing, landscaping and associated works. The exact range of uses, scale and design of the development will be arrived at during pre-application discussions.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) 4. Due to the scale of the proposal it will require to be screened as to whether the proposal is an EIA development under the EIA 2017 Regulations. A screening request is required to be submitted by the applicant. PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS 5. The PoAN (reference 23/00009/PAN) confirmed that two public exhibitions will be held at Blackwater Hall, PH10 7LH. The first event on Thursday 3 July 2023 between 4pm and 8pm and a second event on Thursday 3 August 2023 between 4pm and 8pm. The Ward Councillors, Mount Blair Community Council and Alyth Community Council have been notified. The results of the community consultation will be submitted with the planning application as part of the required Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report. DEVELOPMENT PLAN 6. The Development Plan for the area comprises National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan 2 (2019) (LDP2). National Planning Framework 4 7. The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is the Scottish Government’s long-term spatial strategy with a comprehensive set of national planning policies. This strategy sets out how to improve people’s lives by making sustainable, liveable and productive spaces. 8. NPF4 was adopted on 13 February 2023. NPF4 has an increased status over previous NPFs and comprises part of the statutory development plan. 9. The Council’s assessment of this application has considered the following policies of NPF4: • Policy 1: Tackling the Climate and Nature Crisis • Policy 2: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation • Policy 3: Biodiversity • Policy 4: Natural Places • Policy 6: Forestry, Woodland and Trees • Policy 7: Historic Assets and Places • Policy 11: Energy • Policy 14: Design, Quality and Place • Policy 20: Blue and Green Infrastructure • Policy 22: Flood Risk and Water Management Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan 2019 10. The Local Development Plan 2 (2019) (LDP2) sets out a vision statement for the area and states that, “Our vision is of a Perth and Kinross which is dynamic, attractive and effective which protects its assets whilst welcoming
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population and economic growth.” It is the most recent statement of Council policy and is augmented by Supplementary Guidance. The principal relevant policies are, in summary: • Policy 1A: Placemaking • Policy 1B: Placemaking • Policy 2: Design Statements • Policy 6: Settlement Boundaries • Policy 8: Rural Business and Diversification • Policy 26B: Scheduled Monuments and Archaeology: Archaeology • Policy 33A: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: New Proposals for Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy • Policy 33B: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: Repowering and Extending Existing Facilities • Policy 33C: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: Decommissioning and Restoration of Existing Facilities • Policy 35: Electricity Transmission Infrastructure • Policy 39: Landscape • Policy 40B: Forestry, Woodland and Trees: Trees, Woodland and Development • Policy 41: Biodiversity • Policy 47: River Tay Catchment Area • Policy 51: Soils • Policy 52: New Development and Flooding • Policy 53C: Surface Water Drainage • Policy 55: Nuisance from Artificial Light and Light Pollution • Policy 56: Noise Pollution • Policy 58A: Contaminated and Unstable Land: Contaminated Land • Policy 61: Airfield Safeguarding OTHER POLICIES 11. The following supplementary guidance and documents are of particular importance in the assessment of this application: • Planning Guidance - Planning & Biodiversity • Supplementary Guidance - Renewable & Low Carbon Energy (draft) • Perth and Kinross Community Plan 2013/2023 • Supplementary Guidance - Flood Risk and Flood Risk Assessments (adopted in 2021) • Supplementary Guidance - Forest & Woodland Strategy (adopted in 2020) • Supplementary Guidance - Green & Blue Infrastructure (adopted in 2020) • Supplementary Guidance - Landscape (adopted in 2020) • Supplementary Guidance - Placemaking (adopted in 2020) NATIONAL GUIDANCE 12. The Scottish Government expresses its planning policies and guidance through the National Planning Framework, Planning Advice Notes, Creating
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Places, Designing Streets, National Roads Development Guide and a series of Circulars. Planning Advice Notes 13. The following Scottish Government Planning Advice Notes are likely to be of relevance to the proposal: • PAN 2/2011 Planning and Archaeology • PAN 3/2010 Community Engagement • PAN 40 Development Management • PAN 51 Planning, Environmental Protection and Regulation • PAN 61 Planning and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems PLANNING SITE HISTORY 14. 14/00877/SCOP on 11 August 2014 for proposed wind farm development 15. 15/00004/PAN on 11 February 2015 for Development of a Wind Farm with Installation of 11 Turbines and Associated Works 16. 15/01691/FLM Full Planning Permission was allowed on appeal on 2 February 2018 for Erection of 11 wind turbines, control building and ancillary works CONSULTATIONS 17. As part of the planning application process the following would be consulted: External • NatureScot • Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust • Alyth Community Council • Mount Blair Community Council • Dundee Airport Internal • Environmental Health • Transport Planning • Structures and Flooding • Biodiversity Officer KEY ISSUES AGAINST WHICH A FUTURE APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED 18. The key considerations against which the eventual application will be assessed include: a. Visual Impact
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b. Scale, Design and Layout c. Relationship to Nearby Land Uses d. Natural Heritage and Ecology e. Landscape f. Water Resources and Soils g. Air Quality h. Transport Implications i. Tourism and Economy j. Impact on Agriculture k. Archaeology and Cultural Heritage ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED 19. Should an EIA Report not be required the following supporting documents will need to be submitted with any planning application: • Planning Statement / Design and Access Statement • Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Report • Transport Assessment • Flood Risk and Drainage Assessment • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment • Tree and Woodland Survey • Habitat Survey • Archaeological Assessment • Sustainability Assessment CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 20. This report summarises the key issues which should be considered as part of the appraisal of any subsequent planning application which may be lodged in respect of this development and members are recommended to note these key issues and advise officers of any other issues which they consider should be included as part of the application and assessment. Background Papers: None Contact Officer: Kirsty Strong Date: 28 July 2023 DAVID LITTLEJOHN HEAD OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT