Massive solar farm in mid-Cornwall narrowly approved

Leaflets about the solar park were sent to more than 2,000 residents

A huge solar farm that will cover 33 fields in mid-Cornwall has got the green light from councillors.

The team behind the renewables project between Summercourt and Fraddon said it would generate enough electricity to power more than 19,000 homes.

There had been strong objections over the scale of the development and the loss of agricultural land.

Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee approved the project by six votes to five on Thursday.

Cornwall Council members were told the solar park at Burthy Row Farm would be just south of the A30

Cornwall Council members had been told the solar park at Burthy Row Farm would cover 205 acres (83 hectares) just south of the A30 trunk road.

St Enoder Parish Council had opposed the plans, citing concerns about noise, glint and glare from the site, as well as the sheer size of the proposal.

Parish councillor Ross Wimberley said they were upset the development was on "good farmland", adding: "It seems to me that we will eventually end up generating enough energy to put the cooker on but have no food to put in it," the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Colin McAllister, representing the applicant JBM Solar Projects 5 Limited, said the UK needed to generate more green and affordable energy.

He said: "With solar energy now being four times cheaper than gas in the UK, this is the opportunity to do right by your residents."

The developers have promised to build a community orchard, more than 2.2 miles (3.6km) of new paths, an outdoor classroom and a visitor car park with electric vehicle charging points.

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