Solar farm bid goes to appeal
COUNCILLORS REJECTED THE WARNINGS OF OFFICERS
A REJECTED plan for a solar farm has gone to appeal.
Melton Borough Council refused permission for the scheme, covering almost 100 hectares, in fields off Muston Lane, near Bottesford, in September.
Sarah Legge, assistant director for planning in the borough, warned elected members at the time she did not expect their reasons for refusal would hold up should applicant JBM Solar Projects decide to appeal.
The local authority’s solicitor, Tom Pickwell, said refusal was not, in his mind, a “robust decision”.
Councillors were at risk of being accused of “unreasonable behaviour” because they were “going against planning officers’ professional opinions”, and the authority could be at risk of “significant costs being applied”.
JBM Solar Projects said in September it planned to appeal and would be seeking an award of costs.
Councillors cited four grounds for refusal: the loss of agricultural land; the cumulative impact of new solar farms in the area; the impact on public rights of way through the site; and the harm to heritage assets, including Belvoir Castle.
The solar farm would have been within the castle estate.
Ms Legge said the temporary nature of the solar farm, as well as the benefits of renewable energy production at a time of a climate crisis, could be considered of greater weight when it came to an appeal. The solar farm would generate enough for 19,000 homes.
The land was not considered “the best and most versatile” agricultural land, Ms Legge said, and would only be used as a solar farm for 40 years under the conditions of the application.
At that point, the site would be expected to be returned to its original state and the soil would have had time to “rest and improve”.
Some farming use could continue during the 40 years, such as sheep grazing.
Planning documents also suggested long-distance views of the farm would be largely screened by trees and hedges.
Walkers would still be able to move through and around the area.
Of 257 comments received from members of the public, 136 objected to the scheme, 117 were in favour and four were neutral.
Conor McAllister, project manager for JBM Solar, said: “This is a wellconsidered scheme, set back from homes to avoid visual impact and of an appropriate size to deliver muchneeded green energy without being a blight on the landscape.
“It is extremely disappointing that Melton Borough Council members have chosen to refuse an application that would help lower energy bills, improve the UK’s energy security and significantly contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions.
“What’s even more surprising is that councillors refused to listen to their own council’s expert advice, which will unfortunately now result in JBM Solar appealing to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn the decision as well as seeking an award of costs.
“At a time when council funds are stretched enough, it is extremely disappointing that councillors consider this a good use of public money.”
A date has not been set for a hearing.
What’s even more surprising is that councillors refused to listen to their own council’s advice.
JBM Solar