Solar farm development approved amid concerns

The solar farm will be in operation for 40 years

Plans for a large solar farm have been approved amid concerns over the loss of agricultural land.

The proposal for the 48-megawatt facility on land off Lawn Lane in Coven, Staffordshire, was given the go-ahead by South Staffordshire Council this week.

It came after Brewood and Coven Parish Council objected to the development, claiming there were "no special reasons" for the solar farm to be installed on "good agricultural land".

Applicant Anesco said there was an urgent need for renewable energy developments in the area.

A planning officer’s report said the solar farm, measuring 143 acres (58 hectares), would be in operation for 40 years and "high quality to good" agricultural land would be lost during that time.

But it said finding a suitable brownfield site in the district was challenging, adding that the yield from the land had been very low for the owners in recent years.

'Urgent and critical need'

Jez McHale, from Anesco, spoke in support of the application during Tuesday’s committee meeting and said there were "very special circumstances" that justified the development.

"There is an urgent and critical need for renewable energy developments," she added.

Councillor Bob Cope, a member of the planning committee, said it was unlikely that an area of "poorer quality land" of the same size could be found.

“Reluctantly, we have to approve this,” he added.

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

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