Saga of 'monstrous' solar farm ends with approval

The proposed site covers an area the size of 213 football pitches

A giant solar farm has been approved for a second time, bringing to an end a planning dispute lasting several years.

Lightsource bp's plans were approved by Durham County Council in May, but reconsidered after it was claimed the output capacity of was incorrectly presented.

Approved again on Wednesday, the farm will now be built on 282 acres of land at Hett, near Spennymoor.

Some residents battled against the scheme, labelling it "monstrous", criticising its environmental impact and claiming the area is "not sunny enough".

The solar farm will cover 282 acres of land near Spennymoor

Wednesday's planning meeting heard further concerns from Barbara Marinan, a Hett resident who referred to herself as "an environmentalist – a supporter of renewables and solar power".

She said: "If completed, 282 acres of productive arable land will no longer be used for food production.

"The more monstrous projects allowed, the more we become dependent on other nations for our food."

County councillor Jan Blakey added: "The environmental impact of the number of solar panels that will be put in will have a big effect on the surrounding area."

Lightsource bp said the solar farm will help the UK meet targets for energy security, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ms Marinan argued: “This project has been perceived as an easy way to tick a green box without people understanding the implications."

However, committee members said they could not see how the application could be refused after the initial approval earlier this year.

Councillor David Boyes felt they "haven’t got a leg to stand on" to object to it.