Charity steps up opposition to Devon solar farm
APLANNING officer has recommended that district councillors in Devon grant permission this week for a massive solar farm on agricultural land at Derril Water, near Pyworthy, despite opposition from the local community and a campaign by countryside charity Devon CPRE, spearheaded by actor John Nettles.
A 47-page report by Torridge District Council’s planning officer recommends the go-ahead for the solar farm, which would generate clean energy – in the week when the world debates how to reduce the impact of climate change at the Cop26 conference in Glasgow.
Renewable Energy Systems (RES), the applicant, stated: “As we transition to a net-zero future, reducing the impacts of climate change both locally and globally, RES’ priority is to deliver clean, green electricity at the lowest cost for consumers. New analysis on electricity generation costs published by BEIS [the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy] has indicated that large-scale solar PV [photovoltaics] will be the cheapest electricity generating technology available in the next few years.
“Torridge District Council announced their own climate emergency in August 2019, whereby the council have committed to a target of ‘net zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2030. If consented, Derril Water Solar Farm would be capable of producing clean, green electricity for approximately 12,100 homes every year. In addition, the project’s overall CO2 savings are anticipated to be approximately 18,6003 tonnes per annum, making a contribution to the UK’s target of reaching net zero by 2050.”
Opponents say the council ignores detailed information provided by 213 local objectors and two parish councils, supporting their opposition to the 164acre proposal across four separate parcels of land on 28 fields. Nearly 76,000 solar panels on pile-driven posts would measure about a mile from end to end, surrounded by 5.4 miles of security fencing, 85 CCTV cameras on poles and 15 inverter substations in industrial containers, each with hard-standing.
The CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) has stated: “The planning officer’s extensive report reduces the technical arguments put forward by objectors to a list of bullet points. In contrast, pages of information from bodies such as Natural England and Highways are given in full.”
In May, Devon CPRE launched a video campaign fronted by Bergerac and Midsomer Murders star John Nettles (pictured above), who has a smallholding near the site. The video, including drone footage of Pyworthy’s existing solar installations and the site of the proposed new one, has since received almost 17,500 views.
Devon CPRE says that over four thousand acres of farmland in Devon, more than seven square miles of agricultural land, have already been developed for solar farms, and plans for several other massive solar installations are yet to be decided. The Derril Water proposal is within a mile of the Upper Tamar Area of Great Landscape Value and within two miles of two other AGLVs.
Dr Phil Bratby, Devon CPRE trustee and energy spokesperson, said: “If it’s given the go ahead, the Derril Water scheme will have a massive and devastating impact on the landscape and on local people, yet the planning officer has largely ignored their views and the considerations of independent experts.
“There are several existing solar farms surrounding the small village of Pyworthy, including one on the south-eastern boundary of the proposed site and another about a kilometre away. Three together would turn this rural part of Devon into an industrialised landscape of solar panels and security fencing stretching across 28 fields. How is this a good use of some of the best pasture land in the whole of the county?”
Devon CPRE is urging the committee to refuse planning permission at its meeting on Thursday on two main grounds, the industrialising effect on the landscape of this and other existing solar farms, wind turbines and energy infrastructure in the immediate locality; and the loss of agricultural land.
Devon CPRE contends that the soil will be severely degraded and possibly heavily polluted by the use of herbicides, and from toxic materials leaking from the solar panels.