Another solar farm approved for Devon’s fields

Devon CPRE and residents in the small rural community of Marsh Green in East Devon are dismayed at the decision to allow yet another solar farm to be built in the Devon countryside, despite well-reasoned legal argument against the development.

A public inquiry was held in September into the controversial scheme proposed by solar developer Low Carbon Alliance, after residents raised thousands of pounds to pay for a barrister to argue their case as a Rule 6 Party. East Devon’s planning committee refused permission last December for a 30MW solar farm of 60,000 solar panels on 218 acres of land across 27 fields at Marsh Green after councillors voted against their own officer's recommendation to grant planning permission.

The decision of the Planning Inspectorate was published on 30th October.

Devon CPRE’s energy spokesperson Dr Phil Bratby said: “This outcome is sadly predictable. The inspector has ignored the (inconvenient) evidence put forward and made a false assumption about the benefit in terms of electricity production and emissions saved. There is no carbon assessment as required by the draft National Policy Statement.

“Historically, we can say that even when we get planners or planning committees to refuse applications for major schemes, the Planning Inspectorate will almost always step in and over-ride local opposition and local decision-making. So much (again) for local democracy!”

Paul Jefferson, Chair of Marsh Green Valley Protection Group, commented: “We are obviously disappointed but not surprised. The inspector accepted our points around harm to the local landscape and heritage but has decided that the benefits outweigh the harm. I am, however, very proud of the campaign that the local community pursued. We raised significant funds to pay for our own barrister and to participate as a Rule 6 Party in the inquiry.”

Marsh Green’s East Devon District Councillor, Cllr Todd Olive, who appeared as a witness for Marsh Green Valley Protection Group, echoed this. He said: “We fought hard to make sure the democratic voice of residents was properly heard – it’s obviously a disappointing outcome. Ultimately, even though the inspector has sided with us on landscape and heritage, the reality of national policy and the declared climate emergency is such that the inspector has found that the weight of benefits sit in favour of the scheme.”

He added: “Subsequent to the main decision, the Costs decision has also been published; the inspector has declined to award the appellant costs. That is fairly significant because what the inspector is saying is that East Devon has engaged with the process in good faith and costs are not going to be awarded for unreasonable behaviour. In that sense, speaking as someone who worked with the Rule 6 Party and as a local councillor, there’s an element of upholding the democratic legitimacy of planning committees. That was pleasing to see and is a silver lining to this grey cloud.”

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills said: “When is enough enough? Every local community who has faced an application has spent time and money trying to stop yet another solar farm being built, but every time their evidence has been discounted. National policy set by the Government seems to outweigh all other considerations, regardless of the consequences.

“The people of Marsh Green did a fantastic job. They did a lot of research, put up a strong case, spent around £15,000 on a barrister and other experts. They really couldn't have done any more. But sadly it’s made no difference. How many solar farms in Devon will there be? And it's not just Devon. This is happening right across the country.”

She added: “We have actively campaigned for years against solar farms on agricultural land and we know from a recent survey of our members that they want us to continue to do so. We won’t give up because we know that people are supportive of solar on rooftops and brownfields sites. But fields should be used to produce food.”