Green belt solar farm firm's appeal dismissed

The appeal was lodged after the project near Springwell was turned down in January

An appeal against the rejection of a temporary solar farm on green belt land has been dismissed by the planning inspectorate.

Applicant Boom Power Ltd wanted to build 59,319 solar PV panels at Usworth House Farm near Springwell village on the outskirts of Sunderland and the urban edge of Gateshead.

An appeal was lodged after Sunderland City Council rejected the scheme in January, despite planners recommending it for approval.

But government planners dismissed the appeal, saying the development would be "inappropriate" within the green belt and cause the loss of agricultural land.

The applicant had said the facility's proposed lifespan was 40 years, after which it would have been decommissioned and brought back to its original state.

But the plans received more than 400 objections over noise, impact on agricultural land and heritage impacts.

'Green breathing space'

Liz Reid, vice chair of Springwell Village Residents Association, said the group was "excited" and "very much relieved" that the appeal had been dismissed.

She added they felt it was "the right decision" and a testament to the hard work of residents in the village.

The Planning Inspectorate's decision report, published on Friday, said the land played "an exceptionally important role in maintaining a coherent settlement structure" within the area and provided "a green breathing space".

It said the facility would cause "significant harm" to the openness of the green belt and "undermine its integrity".

While planning inspector Jonathan Bore noted the farm would bring "significant benefits" in renewable energy production, he also said it would "harm" the landscape and the enjoyment of the countryside and footpath network.

The developer has been contacted for a comment.