To receive any petitions, deputations or questions received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 28. The total time allowed for this is 30 minutes.  Petitions, deputations and questions will be dealt with in the order in which they are received and any which are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting.

Susannah Holloway, submitted her question addressed to the Council, as published in the agenda supplement.

The Chairman invited Councillor I Razzell as the relevant Portfolio Holder to respond.

“Prior to the formal consultation period the Mallard Pass Solar Farm promotors (Windel Energy and Canadian Solar) were currently undertaking a “non-statutory” 6-week consultation, which ends on the 16^th December. The Council has not yet provided any formal response to the project proposal. Officers are intending to provide a general response at this stage advising that the Council would expect a planning application and its accompanying Environmental Statement.

The Council will also provide comments on the applicants Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) prior to the formal consultation period taking place in order to ensure that all relevant local communities are consulted and aware of the proposals. In relation to a possible future planning application our position regarding the preparation of a new Local Plan does not prevent the proper consideration of this or any other development proposal. The starting point will be National Planning Policy Guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) along with the relevant policies contained in the Council’s adopted Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD.  All of which will still be relevant to the determination of this National Infrastructure Project”.

Keith Busfield, submitted his question addressed to the Council, as published in the agenda supplement.

The Chairman invited Councillor I Razzell as the relevant Portfolio Holder to respond.

“The process for the consideration and determination Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects such as this provides opportunities at different stages in the process for all those who are interested to make their views known. The process is set out on the Planning Inspectorate’s”.

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/application-process/participating-in-the-process/

As I have explained in response to the question raised by Susannah Holloway this scheme is at the first stage of consultation the Council and no doubt local communities will be seeking more detailed information before coming to planning view on the proposal. Mr Busfield you are clearly aware that ultimately the decision on any will be made by a government minister following the consideration and recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate. The Council and local communities do however have a major role to play in this process.

The following supplementary question was asked by Mr Busfield:

“The Planning Inspectorate themselves state that the time to change the plans was at stage one. The scheme was currently at stage one, and this was due to finish on 16^th December 2021. What would the Council like to do in terms of responding?”.

Councillor Razzell stated that he had been assured by Officers that the point at which they engage is that which was already stated.

Adrian Forsell, submitted his question addressed to the Council, as published in the agenda supplement.

The Chairman invited Councillor I Razzell as the relevant Portfolio Holder to respond.

“As I have already explained the response of the Council at this non -statutory consultation stage is to ensure that:

1.     The project promoters provide the essential and important detailed information in relation to the relevant planning considerations – I referred to this in my response to Susannah Holloway

and

2.     The project promoters set out their proposals for further community and public consultation and engagement, to ensure that all relevant local communities are consulted and aware of the proposals at each stage of the process.

The Planning Committee of Rutland County Council will, if the scheme is progressed, have ample opportunity at a later stage to consider the details of the proposal, assess the material planning considerations and make the views of the Council as a Local Planning Authority on this project known to the Planning Inspectorate and the appropriate Government Minister”.

The following supplementary question was asked by Mr Forsell:

“What will the Council do in terms of engaging with the public and allowing them to have their views heard?”.

Councillor Razzell stated that as per the Constitution it was the Councillors duty to engage with Constituents and with the Parish Councils. All across the Council were engaged with the process. Councillor Razzell assured that this would continue and urged residents to engage with their respected Councillors.