Members were advised that the Chair disclosed a personal interest and therefore step down from his role on this application.  Cllr Trump became the chair for the duration of this item.

Cllr Trump requested nominations for a Vice Chair for this item only.  A motion was MOVED by Cllr Reed and SECONDED by Cllr Wiles that Cllr Cloke be nominated as Vice Chair for this item only.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and Cllr Cloke was appointed Vice Chair for the duration of this item.

Mrs McEwan, was present and addressed the committee in objection of the application.

Miss Laurenson, the agent, was also present and addressed the committee in support of the application.

Concerns were expressed by Ward Members and thanked the officers for a very detailed report.

Members recognised that the Borough needs to make contribution in the future towards renewable energy.  Officers confirmed that this issue will be included in a report relating to the Local Development Plan to present at a later meeting of the Planning and Licensing Committee.

After a full debate, a motion was MOVED Cllr Cloke and SECONDED by Cllr Barrell that the application be refused.

For:                 Cllrs Barrell, Cloke, Keeble, Newberry, Reed, Trump and Wiles                    (7)

Against:         Cllrs Carter, Morrissey and Mynott (3)

Abstain:         Cllr Tee (1)

RESOLVED that the planning permission is refused for the following reasons:

R1  U09973  

The proposed solar farm constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt and would significantly and demonstrably decrease the openness of this part of the Green Belt and would conflict with the purposes of including land in the Green Belt contrary to Chapter 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Policies GB1 and GB2 of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan 2005.

R2  U09974  

It has not been demonstrated that any previously developed land is available for the development within the wider area; outside the Borough of Brentwood and beyond 10km from the application site and it has not been demonstrated that there is no suitable sites of a lower agricultural quality within the Borough of Brentwood, or the surrounding area that would be more suitable for a solar farm, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, particularly Paragraph 112, the Written Ministerial Statement of the 25th March 2015 and Policy IR3 of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan 2005.

R3  U09976  

The benefits of the proposal in terms of environmental and biodiversity benefits would not clearly outweigh the harm by reason of inappropriateness and the other harm identified, to constitute the very special circumstances required to justify this development, contrary to Chapter 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Policy GB1 of the Brentwood Replacement Local Plan 2005.