Planning Application Details

The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission. Reason: By virtue of Sections 91 to 95 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Related application(s): P22/S1947/DIS, P22/S2955/DIS, P23/S0173/DIS, P23/S0487/DIS, P23/S0618/DIS, P23/S0955/DIS, P23/S0956/DIS, P23/S1083/DIS, P23/S1601/DIS

That the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the following approved plans, SP-01 Rev 01 and DZ-01 Rev 08 , except as controlled or modified by conditions of this permission. Reason: To secure the proper planning of the area in accordance with Development Plan policies. Related application(s): P23/S1083/DIS

The permission shall expire no later than 40 years from the date when electricity is first exported from any part of the array to the electricity grid network ('First Export Date'). Written confirmation of the First Export Date shall be provided to the Local Planning Authority no later than one calendar month after the event. Reason: Because of the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the amenities of the area and protect the rural character of the area in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035. Related application(s): P23/S1083/DIS

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby permitted, full details of the final locations, design and materials to be used for the panel arrays, inverters, substation, control building, switch room, CCTV cameras and fencing shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Subsequently the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the application submission and in a manner which minimises the visual impact on the character of the rural area in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved a scheme for the landscaping of the site, including the planting of live trees and shrubs, and the treatment of the access road and hard standings, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall include schedules of new trees and shrubs to be planted (noting species, plant sizes and numbers/densities), the identification of the existing trees and shrubs on the site to be retained (noting species, location and spread), any earth moving operations and finished levels/contours, and an implementation programme. The scheme shall be implemented by no later than the first planting season following the First Export Date and thereafter be maintained in accordance with the approved scheme. In the event of any of the trees or shrubs so planted dying or being seriously damaged or destroyed within 5 years of the completion of the development, a new tree or shrub or equivalent number of trees or shrubs, as the case may be, of a species first approved by the Local Planning Authority, shall be planted and properly maintained in a position or positions first approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To help to assimilate the development into its surroundings in accordance with Policies ENV1 and DES1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Concurrent with the submission of comprehensive details of the proposed landscape works, a maintenance schedule and a long term management plan (for a minimum period of 20 years), for the soft landscaping works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Landscape Management Plan shall include: a) Details of long term design principles and objectives. b) Management responsibilities, maintenance schedules and replacement provisions for existing retained landscape features and any landscape to be implemented as part of the approved landscape scheme. c) Summary plan detailing different management procedures for the types of landscape on site. The schedule and plan shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed programme. Reason: To help to assimilate the development into its surroundings in accordance with Policies ENV1 and DES1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of any site works or operations relating to the development (including site clearance) hereby permitted, an Arboricultural Method Statement to ensure the satisfactory protection of retained trees during the construction period shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The matters to be encompassed within the Arboricultural Method Statement shall include the following: a) A specification for the pruning of, or tree surgery to, trees to be retained in order to prevent accidental damage by construction activities. b) The specification of the location, materials and means of construction of temporary protective fencing and/or ground protection in the vicinity of trees to be retained, in accordance with the recommendations of the current edition of BS 5837 ''Trees in relation to construction'', and details of the timing and duration of its erection. c) The definition of areas for the storage or stockpiling of materials, temporary on-site parking, site offices and huts, mixing of cement or concrete, and fuel storage. d) The specification of the routing and mean of installation of drainage or any underground services in the vicinity of retained trees; Consideration will be made to avoid the siting of utilities and service runs within the Root Protection Area (RPA) of all trees to be retained. Only where it can be demonstrated that there is no alternative location for the laying of utilities, will encroachment into the RPA be considered. Methodology for any installation works within the RPA will be provided and must be in compliance with NJUG Volume 4, 2007 'Guidelines for the planning and installation and maintenance of utility apparatus in proximity to trees'. e) The details of the materials and method of construction of any roadway, parking, pathway or other surfacing within the RPA, which is to be of a 'no dig' construction method in accordance with the principles of Arboricultural Practice Note 12 "Through the Trees to Development'', and in accordance with current industry best practice; and as appropriate for the type of roadway required in relation to its usage. f) Provision for the supervision of ANY works within the root protection areas of trees to be retained, and for the monitoring of continuing compliance with the protective measures specified, by an appropriately qualified arboricultural consultant, to be appointed at the developer's expense and notified to the Local Planning Authority, prior to the commencement of development; and provision for the regular reporting of continued compliance or any departure there from to the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To safeguard trees which are visually important in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of the development (including vegetation clearance), a Construction Environmental Management Plan for Biodiversity (CEMP: Biodiversity) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The CEMP (Biodiversity) shall be based on the recommendations made in section 6 of the supporting Ecological Appraisal (Landscape Science Consultancy Ltd, August 2020) and shall include the following: a) Update ecological surveys for relevant habitats and species, update surveys shall follow national good practice guidelines. b) Risk assessment of potentially damaging construction activities. c) Identification of biodiversity protection zones. d) Practical measures (both physical measures and sensitive working practices) to avoid, reduce or mitigate the impacts on important habitats and protected species during construction. e) The location and timing of sensitive works to avoid harm to biodiversity features. f) The times during construction when specialist ecologists need to be present on site to oversee works. g) Responsible persons and lines of communication. h) Use of protective fences, exclusion barriers and warning signs. The approved CEMP (Biodiversity) shall be adhered to and implemented throughout the construction period strictly in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To minimise the impacts of development on biodiversity, in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan (BEP) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The BEP should be in accordance with the recommendations made in section 6 of the supporting Ecological Appraisal (Landscape Science Consultancy Ltd, August 2020) and include: a) Details of habitat creation and enhancement (this could cross reference relevant landscape plans) and include suitably detailed drawings and cross sections as required. b) Details of species enhancements including relevant scale plans and drawings showing the location and specification of these features especially the location of badger/mammal access gates in perimeter fencing. c) Selection of appropriate strategies for creating/enhancing target habitats or introducing target species. d) Selection of specific techniques and practices for establishing vegetation. e) Sources of habitat materials (e.g. plant stock) or species individuals. f) Method statement for site preparation and establishment of target features. g) Extent and location of proposed works. h) Ongoing management activities of created habitats, with particular regard to the management of habitats adjacent to the Haseley Brook, for the lifetime of the development. Thereafter, the biodiversity enhancement measures shall be developed on site and managed in accordance with the approved details. All enhancements should be delivered by no later than the first planting season following the First Export Date and thereafter be maintained in accordance with the approved scheme. Reason: To secure net gains for biodiversity, in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

No development shall take place until a scheme for the provision and management of the buffer zones along the watercourse to the south of the site has been submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, in consultation with the Environment Agency. Thereafter, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme. The scheme shall include: a) Recommendations set out in the Ecological Assessment. b) Plans showing the extent and layout of the buffer zone. c) Details of any proposed planting scheme (for example, native species and/or removal of invasive non-native species). d) Details demonstrating how the buffer zone will be protected during development and managed over the longer term including a named body responsible for management plus production of detailed management plan. e) Details of any proposed footpaths, fencing, lighting, etc which could impact on the buffers. Reason: To protect the quality and function of the watercourse, in accordance with Policy ENV4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Prior to the commencement of any development, the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, shall be responsible for submitting the full report documenting the results of the archaeological field evaluation conducted on the site by AOC Archaeology Group in accordance with the previously approved Written Scheme of Investigation for these works. This report will be necessary to inform the Written Scheme of Investigation for onward mitigation that will be required to be submitted and approved in wring by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To safeguard the recording and reporting of matters of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with Policy ENV9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Following the receipt of the full archaeological field evaluation report referred to in Condition 11 and prior to any demolition and the commencement of the development a professional archaeological organisation acceptable to the Local Planning Authority shall prepare an Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation, relating to the application site area, which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To safeguard the recording and reporting of matters of archaeological importance on the site in accordance with Policy ENV9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Following the approval of the Written Scheme of Investigation referred to in condition 12, and prior to any demolition on the site and the commencement of the development (other than in accordance with the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation), a programme of archaeological mitigation shall be carried out by the commissioned archaeological organisation in accordance with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation. The programme of work shall include all processing, research and analysis necessary to produce an accessible and useable archive and a full report for publication which shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority within two years of the completion of the archaeological fieldwork. Reason: To safeguard the identification, recording, analysis and archiving of heritage assets before they are lost and to advance understanding of the heritage assets in their wider context through publication and dissemination of the evidence in accordance with Policy ENV9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), which shall include wheel washing facilities, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development. The approved CTMP shall be implemented prior to any works being carried out on site and shall be maintained throughout the course of the development. The CTMP shall state the times at which plant or material will be delivered to the site. Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to mitigate the impact of construction vehicles on the surrounding highway network, road infrastructure and local residents, particularly at morning and afternoon peak traffic times and in accordance with Policy T1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.

Prior to the commencement of development, a detailed sustainable drainage scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This shall be based on Kaya Consulting Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy dated August 2020, the Technical Memo dated 1st February 2021, sustainable drainage principles and an assessment of the hydrological and hydrogeological context of the site. The development shall not be brought into use until the surface drainage works to serve the development have been carried out and completed in accordance with the approved details. The scheme to be submitted shall include: a) Infiltration tests to BRE 365. b) Detailed sustainable drainage proposals and hydraulic calculations with consideration for the worst case 1:100 + 40% event. c) Details of overland flow paths and exceedance plans. d) Plan extent and details of proposed boundary filter drain. e) SUDS construction details and sections. f) Drainage construction details. g) Maintenance and Management Plan covering all surface water drainage and SUDS features. Reason: To ensure the proper provision of surface water drainage and to ensure flooding is not exacerbated in the locality in accordance with Policy EP4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

No development hereby permitted shall take place except in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Council's organisational licence (WML-OR27-2020-1) and with the proposals detailed on plan 'Harlesford Solar Farm: Impact plan for great crested newt district licensing' version 4 dated 16th November 2021. Reason: In order to ensure that adverse impacts on great crested newts are adequately mitigated and to ensure that site works are delivered in full compliance with the organisational licence (WML-OR27-2020-1) in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

No development hereby permitted shall take place except in accordance with Part 1 of the GCN Mitigation Principles, as set out in the District Licence WML-OR27-2020-1 and in addition in compliance with the following: a) Works which will affect likely newt hibernacula may only be undertaken during the active period for amphibians. b) Capture methods must be used at suitable habitat features prior to the commencement of the development (i.e., hand/destructive/night searches), which may include the use of temporary amphibian fencing, to prevent newts moving onto a development site from adjacent suitable habitat, installed for the period of the development (and removed upon completion of the development). c) Amphibian fencing and pitfall trapping must be undertaken at suitable habitats and features, prior to commencement of the development. d) The recommendations in the HMMP document 'Harlesford Solar Farm - District Licence HMMP' version 4 dated the 17th November 2021 and on HMMP plan 'Harlesford Solar Farm: HMMP' version 4 dated the 16th November 2021 provided as part of the planning application must be complied with. Reason: In order to adequately mitigate impacts on great crested newts in accordance with Policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) Harlesford Solar Farm, Thame, Oxfordshire Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy by Kaya Consulting Ltd (Aug 2020) Version 1.1, and the following mitigation measures it details: a) No development located within Flood Zone 3. b) Solar panels raised 900mm above the general ground level. c) Solar panels to be set on frame that is open in design and permeable to floodwater. d) Sensitive equipment e.g. substation, will be raised 300mm to provide flood resilience. e) Fencing to be permeable to floodwater. f) Development is to be set back at least 8m from the Ordinary Watercourse. Reason: To prevent increased risk of flooding due to impedance of flood flows and reduction of flood storage capacity in accordance with Policy EP4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

No lights shall be erected within the site without the prior written agreement of the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of the countryside in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Should the solar panels not be used continuously for the production of energy for a period of six months, the panels, support structures and associated buildings shall be removed in their entirety and the land shall be restored to its former condition in accordance with a scheme of work submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To prevent the retention of development in the countryside that is not being used for its intended purpose in the interest of the appearance of the countryside in accordance with Policy ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Not less than 12 months before the cessation of the development hereby permitted, a Decommissioning Method Statement (DMS) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The DMS shall include details of the removal of the panels, supports, inverters, cables, buildings and all associated structures and fencing from the site, and a timetable for their removal. The DMS shall also include a traffic management plan to address likely traffic impacts during the decommissioning period and details of the proposed restoration of the site. The site shall be decommissioned in accordance with the approved DMS within 6 months of the expiry of the 40 year period of planning permission. Reason: Because of the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the amenities of the area and protect the rural character of the area in accordance with Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.