Shropshire Council throws out plans for 40,000 panel solar farm near Oswestry

Bristol-based solar installation company Elgin Energy Esco Ltd had originally wanted to build a 78-acre solar farm, which would have been one of the largest in Shropshire, at Rhosygadfa on the edge of Gobowen.

It then revised its plans, scaling them back to a smaller scheme taking up 52 acres – five agricultural fields.

An electricity substation and eight foot-high security fencing would also have been built and the power generated from the site would have powered 3,000 homes.

The company said that once the panels had been erected, the land beneath would have been grazed by sheep, and it promised that the panels would have been removed at the end of their operational life, leaving no concrete pads or any other permanent reminder.

But Councillor Steve Charmley told Shropshire Council's north planning committee yesterday (tues) that Rhosygadfa was a "beautiful sleepy hamlet" that would have been ruined by the development.

"This would be a blot on the landsape for generations to come," he said.

"This plan is for large scale, indusrial development.

"I am for solar farms, they provide clean, green energy. But they have to be in the right place."

Brian Case, speaking for local residents, said the panels would be visible from a large part of Gobowen.

He said local people were worried about the damage to the lanes from heavy traffic and potential noise from the machines.

"We are not against solar energy but the panels should go on roofs, on old landfill sites, former runways and other brownfield sites," he said.

"This complex will take up land the size of 38 football pitches of good quality, agricultural land. A growing population may need more home-prepared good food in future."

Objections also came from Selattyn & Gobowen Parish Council.

Nick William, representing the agent for the applicant, said the solar farm could power thousands of homes.

"This would be an important contribution to the alternative energy supply," he said.

"The applicant has reduced it in size because of local worries and the two fields nearest to residents have been taken out of the application."

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "We have lost a lot of good quality agricultural land to housing and, in these times we need to look to be self-sufficient in food. I am pro green energy but I think this is wrong."

But Councillor Gerald Dakin said that Shropshire had to contribute to renewable energy.

"It is beautiful countryside and the applicant has done what he can to mitigate the effect."