Dismay at delay on Bridgnorth solar farm plans

John Jenkins said residents of Tasley, near Bridgnorth, had been keen to hear Shropshire Council's decision by November, but it had been put back due to ongoing discussions with the applicant.

Mr Jenkins, whose land backs on to the proposed solar farm site, helped to set up the Keeping Tasley Green group, which now has about 200 members.

The plans for more than 16,000 solar panels on a 20-acre site in High Trees Farm, drawn up by Green Switch Developments Ltd, include an electricity sub-station.

It could power up to 1,200 homes.

Mr Jenkins said: "The application was originally due to be determined by the planning officer so that, if necessary, it would go before the Shropshire Council south planning committee in September.

"The determination has been delayed and delayed by the lack of or late information from the applicant. The latest delay is caused by the applicant wishing to submit a new heritage report.

"The opinion of the county conservation officer concurred with the observations of English Heritage and said the application could not be supported because of its impact on Aldenham Park and Aldenham Park garden, which are both grade II listed.

"Following this the applicant made a visit to Aldenham Park and their revised submission, based on this visit, is still awaited. The planning officer has said that should the officer recommendation need to go to committee it would not be available in time for the November meeting."

Don Walker, of High Trees Farm, claims the solar farm would protect, not destroy wildlife, if it was given the go-ahead.

Josh Hellawell, an assistant planner at Green Switch, said: "I can confirm the initial time frame it was hoped the application would be determined within will not be met."