Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which presented the outcome of the further analysis of the proposed Barrow Road/Poole Farm, Quorn Development and sought approval to submit a planning application for a solar farm and light industrial unit on Council-owned land.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda item 7’ is filed with these minutes.

The Committee noted the comments of local member Mrs. H. Fryer CC, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. In response, the Director confirmed that both Quorn and Barrow upon Soar Parish Councils would be included in the consultation on the planning application.

Members were informed that the solar farm would in fact generate 8,790 megawatt hours of energy per annum (not 8.79 as indicated in the report).

Mr. Rhodes CC welcomed the scheme, from which the energy generated would offset either all the carbon emissions of Council properties or half the street lighting across the County.

RESOLVED:

(a)    That the Director of Corporate Resources be authorised to submit a planning application for the commercial development of a new solar farm and light industrial units at Quorn as detailed in the report;

(b)    That subject to planning consent being granted, construction of the first phase of the development - the solar farm and Barrow Road light industrial units - be approved subject to a maximum capital cost of £14 million;

(c)    That a further report be made to the Cabinet when it is considered that construction of phase two of the development - light industrial units at Poole Farm - is viable.

(KEY DECISION)

REASON FOR DECISION:

The development of the Council-owned land will provide the Authority with future revenue income and support environmental and economic objectives.