Latest big Shropshire solar farm bid refused
Another bid for a major solar farm in the Shropshire countryside has been thrown out by councillors – to the joy of campaigners.
A 33-acre, 5MW solar farm on the Henley Hall estate on the outskirts of Ludlow is the fifth application in recent months to be refused planning permission by Shropshire Council's south planning committee, despite being recommended to go ahead by planning officers.
Developers Kronos Solar have said they intend to appeal the decision.
The refusal comes after proposals for solar farms at Whitton near Ludlow, Neen Sollars near Cleobury Mortimer, Acton Scott near Church Stretton and Sheriffhales near Shifnal were also turned down in the past few months. A proposal for a solar farm at Tasley, near Bridgnorth, was rejected by planning officers.
Peter van Duijvenvoorde, chairman of campaign group Save South Shropshire Countryside, said: "We hope developers have got the message and save their resources for more appropriate developments that don't impact on the countryside. We're obviously pleased the committee has continued with a consistent approach to these poorly constructed applications that impact on agriculture, tourism and heritage."
Dr Alexander Arcache of Kronos Solar said he was aware of the south planning committee's record, having thrown out four similar applications – two twice – in the past year.
But he said: "We have selected this site with full knowledge that other solar sites have been refused because of the impact on Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We know that this does not."
But Andy Boddington, councillor for Ludlow North, said the reason people came the south Shropshire was for the countryside and heritage. He said the site would be clearly seen from the popular Shropshire Way walking route and the tower of Ludlow's Church of St Laurence which got 70,000 visitors a year.
