New solar farm approved for land between Owermoigne and Winfrith

It could also help to attract rare wildlife to the site

Author: Faye Tryhorn & Trevor Bevins - Local Democracy ReporterPublished 22nd Nov 2022
Last updated 22nd Nov 2022

A solar farm which could generate enough power for more than 10,000 homes has been approved for Dorset.

The site covers around 20 hectares of land between Owermoigne and Winfrith at Galton Manor Farm.

New wetland areas for wildlife will be created as part of the development, with the hope of attracting the rare White Stork to Dorset.

It's hoped the solar farm could also be home to rare White Storks, through the creation of a wetland area

The habitat would go to the north of the site near Tadnoll Mill Farm, alongside the Tadnoll Brook and Galton Heath.

Ward councillor, Nick Ireland told a Dorset Council planning meeting that he was in favour of the plans:

“In the scheme of things solar farms are just ephemeral blips on the landscape…they’re essential, temporary and they don’t damage the land. Once they are taken away you wouldn’t know they have been there…we need clean electricity and we need lots of it."

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