Solar farm approved for Wisborough Green
It comes despite objections
The battle to stop a huge solar farm from being built on land in a West Sussex village has failed, but objectors plan to keep fighting.
Chichester District Council has given permission for energy firm Renewable Connections Developments to build on 63 acres of farmland east of the B2133 at Wisborough Green.
The application was approved during a meeting of the planning committee on Wednesday (December 3), which was attended by a number of objectors, including rock legend Mike Rutherford.
After the meeting, Mr Rutherford – co-founder, lead guitarist and bassist of the rock band Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics – said they would ‘seek advice’ about whether or not there was a case to call for a review of the council’s decision.
The council received more than 170 objections to the plans, with the proposals described as ‘a further blight on the West Sussex landscape’. Questions were asked about the location and about why the county highways team didn’t visit the site but rather carried out a desktop study.
Objections were also received from the parish councils of Wisborough Green, Loxwood, Kirdford, and Plaistow & Ifold.
Councillors raised a number of concerns during the meeting, such as the impact on wildlife and the landscape, and safety along the bridleways and the narrow Drungewick Lane, especially during construction.
While they expressed sympathy for residents, they had to follow planning policy and did not feel there was enough about the application which raised questions.
Chairman Charles Todhunter said: “Planning policy and local knowledge don’t always see eye to eye.”
Wary also of the council losing an expensive appeal, the plans were approved by six votes to three.
Phil Ingham, of the Stop The Loxwood & Wisborough Green Solar Farm campaign group, said: “This shows that the rule of government – the build build build policy that’s been dictated down to the local councils – doesn’t really give them any option other than to try and accept these disastrous planning applications.”
The solar farm will be in five zones, covering six fields.
Renewable Connections said it would generate enough renewable energy to power up to 6,300 homes and save up to 3,492 tonnes of CO2 each year.
A statement submitted with the application added: “The solar farm would be expected to operate for up to 40 years at the end of which it would be decommissioned safely. Any elements of hard-standing would be broken up and recycled, as would the panels and other infrastructure, where practicable.
“The land would then be restored to its current condition.”