Strategic Planning Committee - 10 July 2025

The Strategic Planning Committee confirmed that there were no declarations of interest and, after a motion moved by Councillor Parsons and seconded by Councillor Long, resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 June 2025 were correctly recorded and would be signed by the Chairman.

Two officers presented a development application to the Committee. The Senior Development Officer (AL) outlined the proposal, displayed plans and photographs, and summarised the key issues before recommending that the application be approved subject to appropriate conditions. The Principal Development Officer (EI‑W) gave a similar presentation and also recommended approval with conditions.

A number of members and members of the public were given the opportunity to speak. Mrs J Floyd and Councillor J Clarke, representing St Dennis Parish Council, and Mr D Stark and Mr A McLeod expressed opposition, citing concerns about landscape impact, loss of 31 hectares of high‑quality agricultural land, cumulative industrialisation, visual and noise effects, and the proximity of the development to the River Camel. Councillor Cole highlighted the parish’s existing mineral extraction, the proportion of land already devoted to renewable energy, and questioned whether the cumulative impact and landscape harm had been fully assessed. Mr E Salter, Mr W Page and Mr J Carley spoke in support of the application. Councillor Burnett noted that the majority of local residents and both parish councils opposed the scheme, stressed the need to balance climate‑energy goals with environmental protection, and questioned the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Officers explained that the previous Case Officer and the Secretary of State had determined the proposal did not meet the threshold for an EIA, but that environmental concerns could still be considered by the Committee.

The Committee recorded the recommendation to approve the application subject to conditions, documented the explanations regarding the EIA status, and noted the list of planning appeal decisions, appeals lodged and dates of public inquiries. No final resolution on the application was recorded in the minutes, indicating that the recommendation will be taken forward for further consideration.