Agenda item

Planning Reference – 221328

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Planning Officer:  Robert Forbes

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 installation of electric substations, transformers, feeder pillars, chargers, acoustic fences and associated works at First Aberdeen, 395 King Street, be approved subject to the following conditions:-

Conditions

01.  DURATION OF PERMISSION

The development to which this notice relates must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years beginning with the date of this notice. If development has not begun at the expiration of the 3 year period, the planning permission lapses.

Reason - in accordance with section 58 (duration of planning permission) of the 1997 act. Page 38 Application Reference: 221328/DPP

02.  TREE PROTECTION

No development shall take place in relation to construction works authorised by this permission unless the proposed tree protection fencing as identified in drawing number: WC-127.1c.5 of the approved arboricultural assessment report dated 02/12/22 (Woodsage Consulting ref: WC-127.1 rev C), or such other drawings as may be approved, has been implemented on site and is retained for the duration of construction works on site. Evidence of implementation of such fencing and related signage shall be submitted to the Planning Authority in advance of commencement of development. No excavation, storage of materials, supplies, plant, machinery, spoil, changes in ground levels or other construction activities shall take place within the protected areas within the site.

Reason – In order to ensure the amenity of the area is protected and to minimise impact on trees due to root severance / soil compaction.

03.  SOFT LANDSCAPING / TREE PLANTING

All soft landscaping / planting proposals on site as identified in drawing number 1176- 003 rev. K shall be carried out in accordance with the approved landscape / maintenance scheme and shall be completed during the first planting season immediately following the commencement of the development, or such other date as may be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. Any planting which, within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development, in the opinion of the Planning Authority is dying, being severely damaged or becoming seriously diseased, shall be replaced by plants of similar size and species to those originally required to be planted.

Reason: To ensure the implementation of a satisfactory scheme of soft landscaping which will help to integrate the proposed development into the local landscape in the interests of the visual amenity of the area.

04.  NOISE ATTENUATION MEASURES

The electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities hereby approved shall not be used unless the specific noise mitigation measures have been installed in complete accordance with the approved Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) dated 0/11/22 (Environmental Noise Solutions Limited ref. NIA/10512/22/10699/v2/395 King Street, Aberdeen), or such other mitigation measures as may be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. Installation of the following specific noise mitigation measures is required :

a)    The proposed fixed plant items and the associated calculated sound power levels, based on manufacturer’s data, shall not exceed that advised within Section 4.1 of the report namely, 64 Heliox battery charger units – 73 dB LwA and the noise rating level detailed within tables 4.2 and 4.3;

b)    Installation of 4.0 m and 2.4 m high noise barriers, the specification and location of which are detailed within the relevant drawings (reference: 1176-003, Title: Proposed Site Plan – Full EV, dated May 22, Revision J) also presented in figure 1.1 of the report and fence drawings (reference: 1176-014, Revision B, Acoustic fence Page 1 of 2, dated May 22 and 1176-015, Revision A, Acoustic fence Page 2 of 2, dated May 22), namely, close boarded timber fence, with low level gravel board to ensure there are no gaps at the foot of the fence. Timber should be minimum 10kg/m2, and should be overlapped to ensure there are no gaps between the fence slats;

c)     Installation of the glass reinforced plastic (GRP) plant housings to the required transformers and RMU units as detailed within the relevant drawings (reference: 1176-011, Title: Typical Substation / Charger / Feeder Pillar Elevations, dated May 22, Revision A and reference: 1176- Page 39 Application Reference: 221328/DPP 013, Title: Propose RMU Building, dated May 22).

The physical measures identified above, once installed, shall subsequently be retained on site for the duration of the use of the EV equipment.

Reason: In the interests of protection of the residential amenity of nearby residents.

The Committee heard from Robert Forbes, Senior Planner, who spoke in furtherance of the application and answered questions from members.

The Committee also heard from the agent for the application, Mr Duncan Cameron, who spoke in support of the application. 

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the application conditionally.