New protest group to fight Shropshire solar farms

The scheme, north of Moor Farm near Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, which would see more than 15,300 solar panels built on a site of about 15 acres, has sparked opposition from local people and has led to the creation of a protest group.

Now residents, who are concerned about the impact it would have on the environment, including the loss of agricultural land, are to attend a special meeting organised by Baschurch Parish Council.

Elaine Hickman, who is a member of the 14-strong protest group, said: "We are essentially concerned about the proposal on prime agricultural land. It seems to go against the government's own planning policy which is a bit daft. It will be visible. There is no way it will be screened immediately. It could take years.

"There are a lot of concerns about it being another thing which will have a serious impact on the countryside we live in."

Applicants say the proposed development will have the capacity to produce about 3.75 megawatts of renewable electricity, which will be fed into the local electricity distribution network.

As part of the scheme put forward by Navitas Projects Ltd, the park could produce enough power for about 1,140 homes.

Construction of the site is expected to take about three to four months, and the solar park is anticipated to have a lifespan of 25 years. But Mrs Hickman added: "Twenty-five years is not temporary. I won't be here in 25 years.".

"We are also concerned about the traffic disruption it is going to cause. It is a narrow road and I don't think it will cope.

"I am not suggesting everybody is against it. We have been trying to talk to as many people as we can and generally people are saying it is not a good idea."

Valerie Jennings, assistant planner on behalf of agents Wardell Armstrong LLP, described it as one of the smaller developments of its kind in the area. "We have worked closely with the local community, including the parish council," she added.

The parish council meeting to discuss the plans will take place on Monday in the parish hall, from 7.30pm. Anne Howls, clerk to the parish council, said members of the public will be allowed to speak at the meeting. Shropshire Council hopes to make a decision on the scheme by August 13.

The first multi-million pound solar farm given permission was at Hayford Farm, near Westbury, in 2013.

Other solar farms given the go-ahead include sites at Wheat Leasows, Hadley, Telford; Green Farm, Condover, near Shrewsbury; Twemlows Stud Farm, near Whitchurch; and Burlton, near Wem.

But in the south of the county solar farm plans for Whitton, near Ludlow; Acton Scott, near Church Stretton; Tasley, near Bridgnorth and Neen Sollars, near Cleobury Mortimer, have all been turned down either by planning officers or Shropshire Council's south planning committee.