Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Karl Arthur (substituted by Councillor Mike Jordan), David Hugill (substituted by Councillor Sam Gibbs) and Andrew Timothy (substituted by Councillor Chris Aldred).

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Hannah Gostlow declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute Item 161 since she lived on the construction route of the proposed development.

Report of the Head of Development Management – Community Development Services

The Head of Development Management – Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for the installation of a ground mounted solar PV farm and battery energy storage system (BESS), plus ancillary infrastructure and equipment, landscaping and access at land at Lawrence House Farm, Scotton, North Yorkshire, HG5 9HZ on behalf of Boom Developments Ltd.

The planning officer began by providing an update on the published report. The officer advised that, since publication of the report, late representations had been received raising detailed legal and planning concerns. Therefore the officer recommendation in the report had been amended with the effect that the application should be deferred to allow further legal advice to be obtained. Members were advised that, if they considered they could determine the application, officers would still present the item, although the recommendation remained one of deferral.

The planning officer proceeded to provide a summary of the issues raised which had been circulated to the committee.

Nine further representations had been received, including objections from local groups and Reform Richmond and Northallerton Division. The representations raised concerns regarding the planning balance, Environmental Impact Assessment matters and alleged deficiencies in supporting information. Further issues related to noise, fire safety, vulnerable receptors, highways, water resources, cumulative impacts and planning policy compliance. Concerns were also raised regarding heritage impacts, agricultural land classification, planning conditions and public law duties.

The planning officer noted that some of the matters raised had already been addressed within the published report. In response to the objection that the scheme would have no community benefit until the scheme could connect to the grid, the applicant had confirmed that a grid connection agreement had been secured with Northern Powergrid, with a connection date of July 2027.

However, the planning officer advised that concerns regarding EIA compliance, heritage matters and the sheer volume of legal challenges warranted additional review. The officer therefore recommended that the application be deferred to allow further legal consideration of the representations received. On being moved and seconded, the officer’s recommendation was then put to the vote.

Decision

That consideration of the planning application be DEFERRED to allow further legal consideration of the representations received.

Voting record

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried unanimously.

(In accordance with her declaration at Minute 160, Councillor Hannah Gostlow left the room during the consideration of this item.)

Report of the Head of Development Management – Community Development Services

The Head of Development Management – Community Development Services sought determination of a planning application for approval of reserved matters for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of a Motorway Service Area on land adjacent to the A1(M) between Junctions 48 and 49 near Kirby Hill, Harrogate.

The planning officer presented the report as published. He reminded the committee that the principle of development, site access arrangements and diversion of the A168 had already been established through the outline permission and subsequent approvals. The reserved matters application principally sought approval of the detailed design and layout of the motorway service area. Key changes made to this reserved matters application subsequent to its original submission included clarification of sustainable drainage basins and the reinstatement of a roundabout omitted from earlier submitted plans. Turning to updates since publication of the report, the planning officer advised that one additional representation had been received requesting a planning condition relating to archaeology; however, officers considered archaeology was already adequately controlled through conditions attached to the outline permission and was not a matter for this reserved matters application. A correction to the approved drawings was also reported in relation to the alignment of a field access from the diverted A168, which would be reflected through an amended Condition 2 referencing the correct plans.

In accordance with public speaking arrangements at planning committee, the following speakers then addressed the committee.

Gareth Owens – objector

Councillor Mike Collins MBE Langthorpe Parish Council (and also representing Kirby Hill Parish Council)

Councillor Nick Brown – division councillor

(Councillor Brown left the meeting after he had addressed the committee since he was a substitute member of the committee)

Summary of matters raised:

·       Concern that the reserved matters application could not lawfully be determined since significant additional information had been submitted after the outline permission expired and the application continued to evolve over a prolonged period

·       Concern that the development had materially changed from that approved at outline stage, including additional infrastructure, increased loss of agricultural land, changes to the bridge, roundabout and drainage arrangements

·       Concern that the cumulative changes did not remain within the environmental envelope assessed through the outline Environmental Statement

·       The proposed removal of trees and treatment of woodland had not been assessed against the Council’s recently adopted Tree and Woodland Policy

·       Concern regarding groundwater impacts and the absence of a completed hydrogeological risk assessment for fuel infrastructure located above a principal aquifer

·       Highway safety concerns regarding the rear access onto the B6265, including visibility standards and the absence of a completed Stage 2 Road Safety Audit.

·       Parish councils’ objections had not been fully addressed and there had been insufficient engagement with parish councils throughout the planning process

·       Concern that the development had become taller, wider and extended further east of the A1(M) than originally anticipated at outline stage

·       Concerns regarding local sewerage infrastructure and Yorkshire Water capacity issues affecting nearby developments.

The agent, Nick Roberts then spoke in support of the application.

Summary of matters raised:

·       Objections  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were no urgent items of business.

Tuesday, 11 August 2026 at 10.00am

Tuesday, 11 August 2026