Fresh plans submitted for 200-acre solar farm in south Warwickshire
A REVISED planning application to build a solar farm on land between Bishop’s Itchington and Knightcote has been submitted to Stratford District Council.
The original proposal by Low Carbon Ltd for the 203-acre agricultural site, adjacent to the listed Old Town Farm, was refused permission in August last year despite being recommended for approval.
The scheme, which sought a solar farm of up to 49.9MW capacity for a temporary 40-year period, was expected to reduce around 11,210 tonnes of emissions every year. It was also anticipated that the farm would be able to meet the energy needs of more than 16,500 homes.
The district council’s planning committee refused to grant permission by three votes to two (with two abstentions) as the development would ‘seriously detract from the open and rural character and appearance of the landscape’.
It added the development had a ‘significant adverse urbanising effect on landscape character’ and the council deemed that the benefits ‘did not outweigh the harm’.
Now, Low Carbon Ltd has returned with a revised application with the differences being summised in a planning statement as:
- Panels removed from the parcel of land to the north of field four and land returned to a meadow with additional tree and hedgerow planting.
- Panels removed alongside the right of way to achieve a greater setback from the development for walkers.
- Additional tree and hedgerow planting around the boundaries of the site to strengthen the natural screening of the site.
As part of the scheme, a 2m high security stock fence will be installed around the edge of the solar farm with badger-friendly/small mammal access points at various locations along any fencing to allow the passage of these animals.
It is also proposed that 2.5m high pole-mounted CCTV cameras will also be installed around the site. Construction is expected to last for around four months (16 weeks) and access for construction will be via two points off Knightcote Road.
Access for maintenance purposes once the solar farm is built will be from Knightcote Road, from the south-eastern corner of the site.
Agents DLP Planning said in a planning document: “The solar farm would require infrequent visits for the purpose of maintenance or cleaning of the site.
“The facility would be unmanned, being remotely operated and monitored.
“At the end of the 40-year operational lifespan of the solar farm, the site would be restored back to full agricultural use with all equipment and below grounds connections removed.
“It is envisaged that the decommissioning of the solar farm would take approximately six months.”
Alongside the environmental benefits of the solar farm, DLP Planning say it will provide economic benefits in the short term, with “peak jobs of up to 150” on site during construction.
There would also be the creation of two or three full-time equivalent jobs on an ongoing basis once construction is complete.
DLP Planning added: “In proposing an amended scheme with a reduction in panels, enhanced landscaping and an exceptional biodiversity net gain, the applicant is committed to working with the council to achieve an acceptable scheme.
“The benefits that would arise from this application being allowed firmly outweigh any conflict or perceived harm.
“Overall, it is submitted that the proposals presented in this application... have addressed the concerns that resulted in the previous application being refused.
“The scheme will therefore result in no adverse affects that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits in this case... and we respectfully request that planning permission is granted.”
Alongside the revised plan, there is an appeal against the refusal of the original application but a decision date has not been decided.
The council has until 9th December to make a decision on the updated scheme.
