200-acre solar farm in south Warwickshire will go ahead after appeal
A MASSIVE solar farm will be built on land between Bishop’s Itchington and Knightcote after it was given the go-ahead by a government planning inspector.
The original proposal submitted to Stratford District Council from 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 avoid around 11,210 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. It was also anticipated that the farm would be able to meet the energy needs of more than 16,500 homes.
Alongside the environmental benefits of the solar farm, the applicants said it would 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.
The 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’.
Low Carbon Ltd appealed against the decision but also returned with a revised application, with the differences being summarised 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.
However, the revised application was removed after Lower Carbon Ltd won its appeal against the refusal of the original scheme.
Inspector Philip Major said in his decision notice: ‘It is inevitable that an array of solar panels covering almost 55Ha of the appeal site would have an impact on the existing character.
‘Rather than being a typical if unremarkable tract of countryside the character would change to an area of countryside with a solar farm within it. But the magnitude of the change in character would be mitigated by the presence of hedgerows which currently exist, by their management, and by the increase in hedgerow and tree cover which is proposed and which can be ensured by the imposition of suitable conditions.
‘It is my judgement that the proposed development has addressed the matter of landscape and visual impact in an appropriate manner, and that it has been shown that the impacts can be made acceptable.
‘That is not to say there would be no impact, but any impact would be at a level which would not be unduly harmful.
‘The council’s Landscape Sensitivity Study clearly indicates that solar farms of more than 25Ha could be possible in the Feldon Vale Farmlands and it is my view that this particular proposal would be at the lower end of any finding of harm to landscape or visual amenity.’
He added: ‘The need for energy security has been highlighted by recent international developments, and this scheme, which would provide power to about 16,500 homes, would assist in achieving that aim.
‘I agree with the appellant that the provision of clean renewable energy which contributes to security of supply attracts substantial positive weight.
‘There would be an agreed, and high, level of biodiversity net gain resulting from this scheme, and some enhancement to the land around the solar panels by the introduction of flower rich meadows. This attracts significant weight in favour of the proposal.’
Mr Major concluded that the appeal should be allowed subject to the imposition of necessary conditions, including controlling the longevity of the permission, the removal of the development at the end of the 40-year period, and the approved plans.
To best protect the appearance of the area, conditions for landscaping, tree protection, the finish of materials associated with the development and lighting are ‘reasonable and necessary’.
Mr Major added: ‘Biodiversity gain and protection of particular species can be ensured by imposing appropriate and necessary conditions.
‘In order to ensure that there would be no unacceptable impact on the nearest dwellings a condition controlling proposed CCTV is necessary. An archaeological investigation condition is necessary to ensure the protection of any such remains.’
