Agenda item

The Committee considered application WL/2026/00176 for the installation of ground mounted solar panels on land adjacent to Mayfield, Linwood Road, Market Rasen.

The Lead Officer advised of an update to the report, confirming that condition 3 should be removed and the conditions renumbered.

The Officer presented the application, outlining the site location and proposed development. It was noted that the solar panels would be positioned within a field adjacent to the existing dwelling. The application had been referred to Committee solely because the applicant was a Ward Member.

The Chairman invited the applicant to address the Committee as they had registered to speak; however, the applicant declined.

During discussion, a Member of the Committee noted that the application would ordinarily be determined under delegated powers and proposed that the application be approved. This was seconded.

There being no further debate, the proposal to accept the Officer’s recommendations was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be commenced:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To conform with Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Conditions which apply or require matters to be agreed before the development commenced:

2. No development shall take place until a written Ecological Mitigation & Enhancement Plan (EMEP) is submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The EMEP shall include: -

?     Details of any precautionary method statements for protected species

o   Must include Great crested newt specific mitigation such as sequential site clearance (with presence of a licenced ecologist) followed by newt exclusion fencing during construction and commitment to store all material during construction off ground

o   Must Include ramping/covering of pits/trenches overnight

?     Details of wildlife friendly landscaping/management within the applicant’s ownership

o   Must include at least 1 native tree and Tussocky grass seed mixes (managed for amphibians) around and under the solar panels

?     Details, specification and location of the following species enhancements incorporated on land within the applicant’s control

Ø  1x herptile hibernacula

The EMEP shall be implemented in strict accordance with the approved plan. All features shall be installed during construction and retained as such thereafter.

Reason: In the interest of nature conservation and to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework and local policy S60 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan 2023.

Conditions which apply or are to be observed during the course of the development:

3. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawing: RDS 11843 / 10 (C) dated December 2025. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and in any other approved documents forming part of the application.

Reason: To ensure the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans and to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy S53 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Conditions which apply or relate to matters which are to be observed following completion of the development:

None.