Shropshire Council solar farm decisions defended
Councillors who rejected applications for two solar farms have been defended after the decisions were overturned by government inspectors.
Members of Shropshire Council's south planning committee were representing local people when they decided to turn down applications for ground-mounted panels on farmland at Acton Scott, near Church Stretton, and Neen Sollars, near Cleobury Mortimer, it has been claimed.
Both schemes were later given the go-ahead by government planning inspectors and Councillor Mal Price, portfolio holder for planning, housing, regulatory services and environment, today said the council would see if it could learn anything from the outcomes.
He said: "We are well aware of the two decisions made by a government inspectorate.
"They have ruled in favour of the appeals and I understand the position taken by the south planning committee on both of these. They are keen to protect an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we all understand that.
"From a council point of view, we will review the decisions and look very closely at if there is anything we can learn from in terms of planning, development management and committee."
The two schemes were recommended for approval by the council's planning officers before they were refused by the committee.
The latest to be approved by London-based inspectors was the scheme in Neen Sollars and planning inspector Brian Cook said he allowed it because there were few publicly available positions from which the farm could be seen.
Councillor Price said inspectors must go through a range of evidence and reports before coming to their decision after a lengthy process.
He also added that he thought the amount of new applications for solar farms will be determined by financial factors.
He said: "I do think the future of any solar farms will be more down to subsides and tariffs they will get. That is more likely to determine the future now.
"As far as I am concerned, there are sites in the south of the county where we could have solar farms. The committee was representing the local people."
It comes as yesterday it was revealed an appeal to build a 43-acre solar farm at Whitton, near Ludlow, was thrown out by government planning inspector Rosalyn Kirby who said it would have too much of an impact on the surrounding landscape.
