Fairpark solar farm would be 'quarter of the size of Truro'

The giant renewable energy farms could cover an area of countryside in mid Cornwall the equivalent of 900 football pitches.

Carland Action Group held a public meeting in St Erme Community Centre this week, to primarily discuss a planning application by Downing Renewable Developments LLP for a 210-acre solar park application, Fairpark, in a rural valley at Hendra near Mitchell, between Carland Cross and Landrine. It would have a generating capacity of 49.9MW and run for 30 years.

However, concerns were also raised about similar sized solar farms in the same area – two, at Burthy Row, Fraddon and Tregonning at Dairyland, which have already been approved, and a third at Trelion, St Stephen, which is at the pre-planning stage. Opponents say the solar panels at all four parks could cover 900 acres over a five-mile radius.

A map showing the 210-acre Fairpark solar development area overlayed on Truro city centre (Pic: Carnon Action Group / Google Earth)

One of the residents opposing the Fairpark development, Jamie Crossman, said that the 210-acre site would be enclosed by three-metre high fences to keep deer out. “At the moment we can walk across open fields and enjoy views across to Carn Brea and Probus – that will all be fenced in. It screams of a scene from a prison exercise yard”. He said the visual impact would be exacerbated by lighting and CCTV.

He said the valley was abundant with wildlife, including bats, red kites, roe, red and muntjac deer, barn owls and showed the meeting film of otters, which live in the centre of the proposed site.

Mr Crossman added the Fairpark solar farm would be "ten times the size of nearby Summercourt" and a "quarter of the size of Truro", showing the meeting a scale mock-up of how the development would look on a map of the city. It would mean that four of the approved and planned solar parks would equal the size of Cornwall’s capital.

The meeting heard from Ken Evans, who runs a wedding and holiday lets business, Hendra Barns, with wife Maggie in the heart of the proposed solar park site. Choking back tears, he said: “Since June 2022 our business has been on hold really. We’ve lost a lot of business from people who have found out there could be a solar farm here – we lost four weddings last year.

"If it’s allowed and customers Google us all they will see is solar panels – I don’t think we will get any more weddings or holidays because people will be penned in.”

More than 100 people attended the meeting to discuss concerns about plans for industrial solar parks in mid Cornwall (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

Mr Evans added: “We will be enclosed by a fence – it will feel like living in a zoo rather than open countryside.”

Another resident who became emotional was Alison Dawes, who has lived in the Hendra valley for 22 years – her husband has lived there for 53 years. She said it would feel like living in a 6ft high prison if the solar park and its security fencing were approved.

Mrs Dawes added that the countryside in the area is a sanctuary for walkers, horseriders, dog walkers and others. “This will be a huge industrial development on unspoiled countryside – one of the largest industrial sites in Cornwall. Once it’s approved, our beautiful countryside will be lost, not just for 30 years but forever.”

Discussing the loss of agricultural land, she said: “All the solar power in the world cannot replace food supply. Are we just going to worry about this when Tesco runs out of product?”

Nick Dymond, who farms 600 acres at St Erme, said the loss of valuable arable land would be a huge threat to food security in Cornwall and the rest of the UK. “Concrete, glass and tarmac don’t make great crops. We cannot afford to lose farming and the ability to feed ourselves.”

Two local residents Marie Wills and Natasha Haslam-Hopwood, who oppose the solar park plans (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

Andrew Stanners, who chaired the meeting, echoed his sentiments: “This part of Cornwall is going to be covered in glass and concrete if these solar parks are approved.” He added that six solar farms in mid Cornwall, currently visible from the A30, would be smaller combined than one of the industrial solar parks.

Cornwall councillor Steve Arthur urged those present not to give up on protesting the application, adding: “These are monstrosities that need to be stopped. We don’t want Cornwall covered in glass.”

Concerns were also raised at the meeting about surface water from the solar park exacerbating an area that already suffers from flooding.

A concerned resident stood up at the end of the discussion and said: “In mid Cornwall we are being asked to bear an unreasonable burden of development. It’s like this bit of countryside doesn’t count, but it’s our land, it’s where we farm and where we live.

"It’s simply because we are living under the power lines because it’s a quick connection to the grid. Basically it’s not fair and I want Cornwall Council to hear that.”

Andrew Stanners, left, and Jamie Crossman prepare to present a talk about the \'Industrialisation of Mid Cornwall\' at the solar farms public meeting in St Erme (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

A document accompanying the planning application explains the need for the park, stating: "Solar is an essential part of the UK’s energy security strategy, ensuring the UK’s clean energy independence is now a matter of national security as well as a way of tackling climate change.

"The use of solar helps to make the UK more economically secure and resilient to be self-reliant for energy instead of having to rely on imports."

It goes on to add: "The construction phase of the development will have a duration of approximately six to nine months and planning permission is sought for a temporary operational period of 30 years.

"The site would be fully decommissioned and restored upon expiration of the temporary consent period."

The Fairpark application - which can be viewed on Cornwall Council's planning portal under reference PA23/02629 - could come before a strategic planning committee meeting in May.

There are currently almost 300 public comments concerning the proposal on Cornwall Council’s planning portal, the vast majority of which are against the scheme.