Delight as plan for solar farm near Bridgnorth rejected on appeal

Campaigners are celebrating after controversial plans for a 16,000 panel solar farm at Tasley, were thrown out once more, this time by the Planning Inspectorate, more than a year since first lodged with Shropshire Council.

The planned panels, for land at High Trees Farm, in an area used by walkers and horse riders, attracted 200 objections from residents and a Keep Tasley Green campaign group was formed.

Green Switch Developments Ltd appealed to the national inspectorate over a decision by council officers to refuse the application under delegated powers.

Officers turned the application down under delegated powers this summer, before it even went before Shropshire Council's planning committee.

Planning inspector David Rose agreed with the Shropshire Council officers' decision, saying in his report: "In my opinion, the adverse visual effects of the development and its impacts on the significance of heritage assets, when considered individually and in combination, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme. I have considered all other matters raised but find nothing of sufficient consequence to lead me to a different conclusion."

Dr John Jenkins, a member of the Keep Tasley Green campaign group, said: "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout this campaign.

"We all delighted it now finally looks over and we have successfully fought against it."

Jane van Duijvenvoorde, a member of Save South Shropshire Countryside, an umbrella group against the use of farmland for such developments across the region, said: "We are very happy indeed, it's a great decision because it was a totally silly place to put a solar farm, right next to several houses in an area that is enjoyed by people walking and riding horses, a real public amenity."

"They can't come back from this now, so we're really pleased for the community at Tasley."

However, she said, a similar appeal over a 43-acre solar farm at Whitton, near Ludlow, was just gearing up.

The Whitton solar farm was refused twice by the Shropshire Council committee, first in October 2014, and then in June when a cut-down version was resubmitted. An appeal over the October decision on the full-size application was already lodged by developers EBS Energy LLP at the time the resubmittal was turned down.

"It has taken this long to get validated and go through," Mrs van Duijvenvoorde said, "We have offered our help to Shropshire Council with any local knowledge in arguing their case."

She said she hoped the planning inspector would agree with the authority's reasoning and again turn the application down.

The Whitton solar farm appeal is to be decided by written representations, rather than a full hearing, in the coming months.