Decision on 'disproportionately huge' solar farm in Cornwall

The proposal on 230 acres of land between Bude and Launceston has again raised the thorny issue of the need for renewable energy but where to place solar farms in relation to agricultural land.

Windel Solar 4 Ltd applied to build a ground-mounted solar farm alongside associated infrastructure to deliver approximately 42MW of renewable energy, on land at Canworthy Water. If approved, the solar farm would have been close to an existing one on 138 acres of land.

Planning officer Adam Carlyon recommended approval, stating: “Considering the climate emergency, which naturally carries great weight and should not be understated, the balance weighs firmly in favour of the proposal which could power the equivalent of 11,000 homes per year and would make a valuable contribution towards the council’s carbon neutral by 2030 target.”

Local resident Sarah Ockwell spoke at a meeting of a strategic planning committee at New County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro on Thursday. She said: “Protecting the global environment is not an excuse for trashing the local environment. The proposal seems to completely ignore the residents in the small hamlet of Canworthy, which is immediately adjacent to the proposed site.

“Some of the panels will be within 30 metres of houses and quite a lot within 500 metres. Best practice seems to state that solar farms should be at least 500 metres and preferably one kilometre from residential properties. The visual impact on some houses will be substantial. This development would substantially change the environment of Canworthy for the next 40 years at least, which I think is unacceptable.”

She added it would be “disproportionately huge” compared to other solar farms in Cornwall, “even more so when it will link up with an existing site and, in total, cover 360 acres of agricultural land”.

A map showing the size of the proposed solar farm near Launceston (Pic: Pegasus Group)

Cllr Peter Chapman, vice-chairman of neighbouring Jacobstow Parish Council, said the area seems “to be the dumping ground for all applications for panels. We, as a parish council, haven’t been notified of any benefits to the local people who get all the hassle.

“It would make the whole area look like a sea of panels, which I think is unfair on residents. This area flooded really badly and Canworthy Water had to have £250,000 to stop flooding. There’s been no mention of flooding in the impact assessment.”

Cllr Terry Luckwell, vice-chairman of Warbstow Parish Council – which covers the planned site – added: “While a push for renewable energy is undeniably crucial in combating climate change, this proposal raises significant concerns. The impacts on our community cannot be ignored.”

He said access roads to the site are very narrow and heavy goods vehicles setting up the solar farm would raise safety concerns. There were also concerns about the loss of native wildlife and its habitat. “We risk doing more harm than good,” he told the planning committee.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Hannah Mawson stressed that the proposed site is of lesser quality agricultural land, with 90 per cent of it being Grade 4 quality. Sheep grazing would continue on the site, there would be natural screening and the solar farm would assimilate with the landscape. There would be 51 per cent biodiversity gain which would be of benefit to wildlife, added Ms Mawson.

She said the proposed scheme was entirely separate to the existing solar farm in the area.

Edward Humber, spoke on behalf of both landowning families involved, stating that both farms on which the solar farm would be built are on low grade land. He said farming on the land was very challenging, with one of the farms never being used for arable crops over the last 60 years. He stressed that if the solar farm was approved, both farms would continue to graze sheep and cattle on the site and increase their flocks.

Mr Humber also stated that neither farm had flooded and didn’t agree with claims the solar farm would be a flood risk.

“Both our families recognise from attending the many meetings held locally that, for some, this application comes with a level of apprehension, but it also has support from many people who, like us, want to see a greener world with more renewable energy both for ourselves and future generations,” he added.

Local councillor Barry Jordan, who called the application before the committee, was next to address members. He said: “We are allegedly in a climate crisis yet these panels will be made probably in China using forced captive labour for the benefit of a Canadian company. There will be 650 very large lorries travelling down to the site carrying the panels and other goods.

“The monstrous piece of work is going to upset the lives of everyone within about a ten to 15-mile radius for at least a year. It’s abominable for the people of our area, especially those living in the villages on this main route – Pipers Pool, Hallworthy, Warbstow, Canworthy Water and others like North Petherwin. A sea of glass won’t be conducive to this area of North Cornwall.”

Cllr Nicky Chopak, the adjoining divisional member, said the application should be seen in addition to the existing nearby solar farm. “This would now make it one of the biggest combined solar farms in the UK at 368 acres. The cumulative impact has therefore been totally understated both in this report and by the applicant.

“This is an over-development without any thought for the local residents. No research has been done to find an alternative site, and that’s because there is a grid connection – that shouldn’t be the driver for it to be approved.”

Committee chair Cllr Dulcie Tudor was concerned that a report about the impact of solar farms on agricultural land in Cornwall – requested by councillors at a planning meeting in April – has not even begun. “I would have liked to have asked for this application to be deferred until we had that produced. I’m a bit worried that report’s been kicked into the long grass.”

With changes to planning law around solar farms mooted by the new Labour government, Cllr Tudor added: “I am feeling that this does appear to be the last opportunity that this planning committee will influence or make a decision on a solar farm in Cornwall, which does seem extraordinary.”

Cllr Nick Craker recommended refusal due to the visual impact on the landscape and a lack of community support. The committee was warned that a lack of local support wasn’t a viable reason to refuse. Planning officer Davina Pritchard also said there was evidence the solar farm would not significantly harm the landscape.

The committee voted to refuse on the grounds of the proposal’s impact on the character of the area by seven in favour, three against and no abstentions.