Legal threat after 40,000-panel Bridgnorth solar farm approved

William Cash, of Upton Cressett Hall, near Bridgnorth, is considering launching a judicial review and says he will claim damages from those behind the 10.71MW solar farm at nearby Upper Meadowley Farm which was given permission on Tuesday.

Councillors on Shropshire Council's south planning committee, who passed the plans, said the proposed solar farm would not be seen from Upton Cressett Hall or its grounds, so would have no impact on the heritage site.

The plans were also unchallenged by the parish council and immediate neighbours, with the Bunning family who farm at Upper Meadowley, saying the income from the panels will safeguard the farm for generations.

However, Mr Cash said he would be seeking legal action over the decision. During the meeting he said the solar farm, with its 2.5-metre fence and CCTV cameras, would look "more like a prison camp" in the unspoilt valley.

Speaking afterwards, he said he was disappointed at the decision which he felt did not interpret government planning guidelines correctly or take account of a High Court ruling that "special regard" had to be given to the setting of heritage and tourism assets in such cases.

He said the decision also "contradicted the council's own clear core plan in terms of the value it places on unspoilt and non industrialised landscape and countryside for tourism."

"Our lawyers will be discussing whether we will seek a judicial review – not the least as the council have recommended the erection of 40,000 solar panels on high quality arable land," he said.

"In the meantime, I can confirm that our lawyers will be invoking the ancient covenant that protects Upton Cressett estate and the applicants will be receiving legal papers for a very significant claim for damages due to damage to our award winning heritage business and our award winning holiday accommodation."

During the meeting Councillor Andy Boddington, for Ludlow North, said he was aware of the threat of a judicial review, but did not think it could be sustained.

He said there were no long views from Upton Cressett in which the solar farm would be seen, so it could not be said to be "in the setting" of the heritage site.

"An objection to this solar farm cannot be sustained on heritage grounds," he said.

He added he was concerned about the loss of farm land, 30 per cent of which was good quality, but planning officers assured the committee there was no better site in a 3km radius.