Solar farm plans attract dozens of objections

The agricultural land where the development is proposed is about the size of 70 football pitches

Plans for a solar farm the size of 70 football pitches have attracted dozens of objections.

High Rigg Solar Limited has applied to Westmorland and Furness Council for permission to develop agricultural land at Calthwaite, near Penrith, in Cumbria.

Residents have written to the council to raise concerns about the potential loss of agricultural land to the development, the proximity to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the visual impact.

Documents submitted on behalf of the firm said the solar farm was "required" to reach national and local renewable energy targets to "combat the effects of climate change".

Planning documents said the solar facility would be next to Skelton Pasture SSSI and the Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The developer said the site consisted of "lower grade agricultural land".

It added: "This is exactly the sort of site that should be actively promoted by the council in order to help meet the UK's renewable energy generating targets."

Solar farm 'too big'

Residents have also raised concerns about the potential loss of fields.

One resident from Calthwaite said the site was "excellent farm land" and she was concerned about the impact of the development on wildlife in the nearby SSSI.

"There are areas of brown field sites within a very close proximity to the proposed development with access from main roads," she said.

"There is no need to destroy good farming land, once it is gone it will never be returned to its original state, regardless of what mitigation is offered."

High Rigg Solar Limited said the site would operate for 40 years, after which it would be "returned to its existing condition".

Another villager from Calthwaite said she believed the scale of the proposed solar farm was "excessive".

"[It would cover] a huge area completely at odds with the surrounds, habitats and countryside," she said.

Skelton Parish Council has also objected to the development over concerns of increased traffic during construction.

It said: "Whilst both the parish council and the community as a whole are supportive of the principle of renewable energy, it is felt that the large scale of this proposal will be overbearing on the local landscape and its impact on the community."

Westmorland and Furness Council is due to make a decision after a public consultation ends on 18 September.