Parish Council Minutes of Meetings 2025

Notes of the

Extraordinary Meeting of Harmston Parish Council

at The Memorial Hall, Harmston

on Thurday 29th May 2025 at 8.15pm,

following Open Forum at 7.00pm

OPEN FORUM – 7.00pm until 8.15pm

The Clerk, Acting Chair and member from Coleby Paris Council kindly began by outlining their intention to object to the planning application, and summarised their actions so far. They have been working with specialists, and have been sharing information with local residents and neighbouring villages, to gather support and encourage residents to submit a response to the application. The closing date has now been changed to 22/6/25 which allows more time. Harmston Parish Council thanked them for attending and providing information.

Some facts about the application were shared:

• It is not a green scheme – it will not be connected to Fosse Green and will not store electricity from solar panels exclusively

• Between 2,300 and 3,000 HGV’s for 18-24 months travelling to and from site

• 6 transformers, 139 tonnes each – 54 metres long will need to be taken onto site via local roads

• Approximately every 10 years all batteries will be replaced

There were several residents in attendance, all of whom were in opposition to the planning application. Discussions took place about the importance of spreading the word and getting as much information shared as possible. The key to success is volume of objections. It is vital that residents submit an objection if they oppose the BESS. Individuals from the same house can submit their stance – even if they disagree. It is important to focus on planning issues as planners can only focus on Planning Law. The word OBJECT must appear in submission – need to be explicit.

1/5B APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from Cllr Carrington and Cllr Sanders

2/5B DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

Full list is available to view on http://harmston.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ None to declare.

3/5B PLANNING APPLICATION

a) To discuss and agree the stance of the Parish Council: to object, support or remain neutral Following listening to the residents attending the open forum, and to Coleby Parish Council, and having researched the application, a vote was taken. Cllr Harrison proposed, Cllr Chapman seconded and it was RESOLVED that Harmston Parish Council would OBJECT to planning application 25/0533/FUL

b) To discuss and agree the comment of the Parish Council to be submitted on the planning portal A first draft was created and shared with all councillors ahead of the meeting. This first draft was discussed in detail and it was RESOLVED that it be submitted as an objection, once the agreed alterations had been made. I

t was RESOLVED that following alterations should be made to the objection draft:

➢ Use the word ‘object’ in title ➢ Add ‘we are a small village’

➢ Highlight we are a ‘conservation area’

➢ Highlight listed buildings along route

➢ Include damage already caused to buildings on Church Lane by lorries

➢ Include specific concerns such as the width of the pavement being less than 1 metre

➢ Delete Noise and Vibration heading, and add that paragraph to ‘Environmental Impact’

ACTIONS: To submit the draft as HPC objection, with amendments as agreed, T/D: urgent

c) To discuss and agree any next steps that may be required Harmston Chair believes writing to Highways BEFORE they have submitted their response to the planning application is an important step not to be missed, using this as an opportunity to highlight the negative impact such a proposal would have and hopefully garnering their support. It was noted that Coleby Parish Council have also written to Highways and highlighted that Harmston does not have suitable roads for the proposed size and volume of vehicles. It was RESOLVED that the drafted letter have the same amendments as applied to the objection draft, and that it then be sent to Highways urgently. ACTION: Clerk to share letter to Highways with PC once agreed alterations have been made, T/D: 30/5/25 ACTION: Clerk to submit letter to Highways regarding Harmston Parish Council’s concerns regarding the impact on Church Lane (cc. Cllr Carrington), T/D: 30/5/25

In addition to the letter to Highways and the objection (as agreed in 3/5B b), it was agreed that as supplementary objections could be added that, that this should be used to share as much information as possible. It was RESOLVED that supplementary objections should be drafted regarding ‘protected landscape’ and ‘environmental issues’. ACTION: Supplementary objections to be drafted – DH focussing on environmental impact and BS focussing on protected landscape, T/D: asap and to be submitted before 22/6/25

The importance of engaging with the community and ensuring they have as much information as possible was deemed essential. Coleby Parish Council has requested to post a flier to each home in Harmston with information about the BESS. This was approved. The flier will also be sent to Harmston Clerk so she can share it in a variety of outlets. ACTION: Clerk to share flier, T/D: once received.

4/5B DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Tuesday 15th July 2025, venue to be announced (Harmston Hall is closed for flooring works). Commencing at 7.30pm. 

There being no further agenda matters to discuss the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 9.00pm.

Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Clerk and cannot in any