Issue - meetings

Planning Reference – 241197

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Planning Officer:  Gavin Clark

Application refused. 

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Officer – Strategic Place Planning, which recommended:-

That the application for Detailed Planning Permission for the erection of a battery storage unit with associated infrastructure, control building, switch room, inverter containers, lighting, fencing and associated works including access road at land north of Aryburn Farm, Dyce, Aberdeen, be refused for the following reasons:-

That it had not been adequately demonstrated that a site within the green belt was essential for the proposed battery energy storage facility. It was considered that it would be possible to locate such a facility on a more sequentially preferable site in conjunction with more appropriate land uses in the surrounding area and in closer proximity to the Dyce Cothal View Grid Substation. In addition, the proposals would introduce an “industrial” style of development to this rural and agricultural setting which would have an adverse urbanising effect on the character of the area, resulting in the significant erosion of the rural, agricultural feel and providing a facility that would be at odds with the tranquil setting of the surrounding area, which had not previously seen developments of this type. The proposals would therefore undermine the setting of the green belt in this location and could not be supported. The proposals were therefore considered to be contrary to Policy 8 (Green Belts) of National Application Reference: 241197/DPP Planning Framework 4 and Policy NE1 (Green Belt) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 and there were no material planning considerations that would warrant approval of planning permission in this instance.

The Committee heard from Mr Gavin Clark, Senior Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the application and answered various questions from Members.

The Committee then heard from Mr Robin Simpson, who objected to the proposed application and spoke against the application. 

The Committee then heard from Mr David Bowman, agent for the proposed application who spoke in support of the application and answered questions from Members. 

The Committee resolved:-

to refuse the application.