Solar farm appeal after application rejected

Tel Aviv-based Econorgy will lodge an appeal

Developers who want to build 30-megawatt solar farm have appealed against a decision to refuse the scheme.

The planning application for the 44-hectare site in Berrington, near Shrewsbury, was thrown out by Shropshire Council’s southern planning committee in May last year.

The decision came despite a recommendation from planning officers that it should go ahead.

The future of the proposal will now be decided by an inquiry after developers Econergy appealed to the national planning inspectorate.

Damage to the area’s ecology and adverse visual impact from 6-metre high panels were originally cited as reasons against the scheme.

Councillors did not believe the renewable energy benefits of the proposals were sufficient to outweigh the negatives.

The proposed Berrington Solar Farm development

Tel Aviv-based Econorgy said the new development, which it wants to make operational by 2025, could generate sufficient power for 7,000 homes per year over its anticipated 40-year lifespan.

Initial statements have now been taken for the inquiry but no date has been set for a final decision.

The planning application received a large number of public comments, with 194 in support of the proposal and a further 109 in objection.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.