Campaign launched to stop solar farms in Shropshire hills
A campaign has begun to stop solar farms springing up on the hills around a Shropshire town.
The Save Our Green Hills fight is a reaction to solar energy firms setting their sights on two farms around Neen Sollars, near Cleobury Mortimer.
Residents say such schemes would destroy the beauty of their rolling hills.
No full applications have yet been made, but a proposal by energy firm TGC Renewables for a five-megawatt solar farm at High Point Farm, Neen Sollars, could go to planning chiefs for a decision by the end of the month.
A speculative screening application for a site at Barnslands Farm is also awaiting consideration by Shropshire Council.
Chris Jones, vice chairman of Milson and Neen Sollars Parish Council, said: "If you look at the land around here it's rolling countryside and if you look at where these applications are, they're on the side of hills, overlooked by people in our parish.
"The parish council and most the people of Neen Sollars are in favour of renewable energy," he said, adding that many residents had solar panels on their roofs as well as shares in a 10kw hydroelectric scheme on the River Rea.
"But this particular application (High Point Farm) is just in the wrong location," he said.
Resident Sian Kelly wrote on the Save Our Green Hills Facebook page: "There is a place for solar panels but not in beautiful countryside like Neen Sollars."
Beverley Price added: "Outrageous! How can this be justified?"
Roy Ander, development director with TGC Renewables, said the firm held a public consultation at Neen Sollars Village Hall in May, but out of 300 residents invited only 40 attended.
He said the farm would cover 9.5 hectares and provide enough power for between 1,130 and 1,289 homes per year. The firm would only submit an application if the scheme was viable, and matched with planning policy, he said.
