'Skirmish won' as solar farm bid denied

A scaled-down bid for land close to Whitton, near Ludlow, was rejected by councillors at Shirehall yesterday after a debate lasting about an hour and a half.

But campaigners, who welcomed the decision made by members of Shropshire Council's south planning committee, have said they are not getting carried away.

They warned the Whitton bid was just one "skirmish" in the fight against multiple solar farm applications in the Shropshire countryside.

About 30 placard-waving protesters had gathered outside before the meeting started, to make their views known.

A similar proposal for the 43 acres of farmland was turned down in October. The plans were scaled down from 8.6MW to 4.3MW with panels only planned for 14 acres of the site – though the application did involve change of use of the whole area.

Lee Adams, speaking for applicants EBS Energy LLP, said the firm had lodged an appeal against the refusal of the original plans in October, insisting there was a "robust case" for the bigger solar farm.

But, he said, that appeal would be dropped if the new scheme – half the size, with extra screening – was passed.

He said the site was not in Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an independent report said it would not be visible from the AONB once screening was in place.

But both Councillor Robert Tindall, for Brown Clee, and Councillor Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North, said they could not believe that.

Councillor Boddington said the site was just half a mile from the AONB edge and directly in the way of views towards Caynham Camp hill fort. Mr Adams also said sheep grazing beneath the panels would continue at the same level it was now.

"The system is not there to remove the land from agricultural use. At the moment the land is being used for grazing cattle and sheep and it will continue to be used for grazing sheep," he said.

Principal planning officer Grahame French, who recommended the scaled down site for approval, said there had been no technical objections so he felt a second refusal could not be justified.

Some councillors read out statements by various Government ministers stating a dislike of solar farms on farmland.

But Councillor Madge Shineton, who represents Cleobury Mortimer, pointed out none of them had brought in legislation to back up their words. She also stuck up for farmers wanting panels on their land, saying: "Yes, we've got beautiful countryside . . . but I also know the land owners manage that. It's about time we gave some consideration to their future or we will not have any of these small farmsteads."

Councillor Cecilia Motley, for Corvedale, said: "We have so many visitors come to our county to walk – they don't come to see solar panels. We tamper with out tourist attractions at our peril."

The committee voted unanimously to reject the scheme on the grounds it would be detrimental to the environment, character and landscape close to the AONB, on good quality agricultural land, and the impact would outweigh the benefits.

Pauline Atkinson, speaking for Save South Shropshire Countryside campaign group after the meeting, said: "We are really pleased with the committee's decision. They have represented the views of the vast majority of residents of this beautiful area. But this was just another skirmish – the war is going to go on until 2017 when the subsidies stop.

"That's why they (developers) are here, but that's not a good reason to build these solar farms in the wrong place," she added.