Appeal over refusal for giant Shropshire solar farm

Green Switch Developments is appealing the decision to turn down plans to create the solar park on land near Hurst Hall in Marbury, Whitchurch.

It means a government planning inspector is now set to make a final ruling on the scheme.

Cheshire East councillors voted to refuse the proposed development due to the impact it would have on the landscape.

The proposed development, which would cover six agricultural fields totalling about 57 acres, would feature 54,230 solar panels that could generate more than 13 megawatts of electricity.

Residents opposed to the plans, which were concerned about the impacts it would have on the countryside, started a campaign called 'Keep Marbury Green'.

The group has claimed that energy firms should be looking at brownfield sites rather than "productive arable land" which could be visible to residents and visitors from about five km away.

A statement on behalf of the applicant said: "The benefits for the appeal proposal have been clearly established, and no realistic or more favourable alternative sites for the temporary development have been proposed – by any party.

"The appeal proposal would make a sizeable contribution to Cheshire East and national renewable energy and CO2 reduction targets. The development is clearly temporary and would result in the loss of no agricultural land."

A statement on behalf of Cheshire East Council said: "The appeal for the solar park, for which the council refused the application, relates to the significant adverse impact on the landscape.

"It is the council's contention that to allow the installation of the solar park would have a significant and severe adverse impact on the landscape character of the site and that this impact would be long-term and unacceptable in this rural location.

"The local planning authority respectfully urges that the appeal be dismissed."

The first multi-million pound solar farm given permission was at Hayford Farm, near Westbury, in 2013. Others given the go-ahead since include sites at Wheat Leasows, Telford; Green Farm, Condover, Twemlows Stud Farm, near Whitchurch and Burlton, near Wem.

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