Solar farm to power 15,000 homes likely to go ahead

The solar farm would generate 49.99MW of electricity for 50 years

A solar farm designed to power 15,000 homes is likely to go ahead despite objections.

The installation would cover three farm fields on the A14 road near Thrapston in Northamptonshire.

Campaigners say the farm should not be built on good-quality farmland and will dominate the landscape.

The developers said the project had received just 29 objections from a local population of over 360,000.

With the UK's last coal-fired power station due to close next week, and the projected doubling of electricity use by 2050, the developers of the Wood Lodge Solar Project said there would be "an urgent need" for alternative generators.

So far, their proposal has had a mixed response from the public, with North Northamptonshire Council receiving 29 objections and 20 letters of support.

Those against it raised concerns about the harm to protected species and biodiversity and increased traffic.

Some said solar panels should be sited elsewhere on brownfield land or on top of roofs.

Campaigners say the solar farm should not be built on good-quality farmland

One person wrote: “Solar Farms have no reason to be placed on good quality farmland, so why is this site being considered?

"[The council] needs to have a renewable electricity plan rather than just agreeing to piecemeal solar farms across the county in the belief that renewables are green and therefore good.”

Another said: “As a Thrapston resident, I am totally opposed to these developments for so many reasons. Amongst these are the sheer dominance and scale of the plans."

The solar farm would be built on three fields alongside the A14

A number of comments in support were also submitted, which generally expressed the need for green energy, including one from Thrapston Town Council.

Council officers said there would be an adverse visual impact from the development, but the generation of renewable energy did "raise substantial benefits in favour of the proposal".

They recommended the project for approval, but councillors will make the final decision on 2 October.

A spokesperson for the Wood Farm Solar Project said: "The vast majority (86%) of the site is made up of lower-grade agricultural land, with only 14% classified as Best and Most Versatile. It is the lowest grade land within reach of the grid connection point.

"The application has received just 29 objections from a local population of over 360,000 [and] would have no long-term negative impact on the local landscape.

"The UK Government has identified the development of low carbon energy projects as a 'critical national priority'. Wood Lodge Solar Farm represents a forward-thinking solution that supports the country’s transition to renewable energy."