Energy park access recommended for approval
Plans for a renewable energy park have taken a step forward as planning bosses recommend approval for the controversial access.
Shropshire Council's North Planning Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss the application to build a temporary track for the purpose of delivery and construction of Cefn y Maes Community Energy Park.
The developers behind the scheme, renewables firm Engena Limited, want to install 2,588 solar panels over the border in Powys, but must get approval from Shropshire Council to create the new road in Rhydycroesau.
The six metre track would be removed once the construction of the proposed energy park is complete.
A report by case officer, Kelvin Hall, said: "The proposed access track would facilitate access by construction vehicles should planning permission for an energy park on an adjacent site in Wales be granted by Powys County Council.
"While the two applications are interlinked they are required to be considered separately and the merits of the proposed energy park are not relevant to the application for the temporary track.
"The track itself would be removed after no longer than nine months and the temporary impacts would be limited in duration. Reinstatement works would be undertaken to the widened access point upon completion of construction of the energy park."
It is believed the energy park, covering 1.70 hectares of farmland, would provide electricity for more than 550 homes.
However, clerk of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council Amy Gregory, said the name is misleading.
She added: "What is the community involvement? The community is objecting to it and the electricity generated on site is not going to the locality."
Despite concerns from councillors and residents about the impact of HGVs on the area's narrow country lanes, highways officials have said they have no objection to constructing a temporary track.
A highways report said: "The access widening and construction of the temporary access track will in itself require a number of HGV movements. It is considered that the management of the construction traffic will be required and a condition is, therefore, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) to be submitted and approved."
The CTMP must confirm how long the construction will take and suggest a scheme to rectify any damage caused during construction.
Earlier this year Engena Limited removed plans for a 101-metre wind turbine aspect of the proposal over concerns it would scar the landscape.
