Solar farm hot topic in Standford Dingley
'This is not the place to experiment,' says villager
ANOTHER clash between renewable energy and West Berkshire’s countryside could be on the horizon, following an application to build a solar park in Stanford Dingley.
Anesco Ltd has applied to construct 10,548 solar panels (to provide 2.8MW), security fencing and transformers on nine hectares of land at Mazelands Farm, Burnt Hill Road.
The site, used for pastoral agricultural use, lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is bounded by woodland designated as a Local Wildlife Site and Biodiversity Opportunity Area.
The application is for a temporary change of use to mixed energy and agricultural use and the applicants say that if the panels are to be removed after their 40-year lifespan the land can revert back to agricultural use.
Anesco said that as the farm can be screened by hedgerows the impact can be mitigated and would not result in any unacceptable effects on the countryside.
“If West Berkshire Council is to play a leading role in renewable energy generation in England, then such electricity generation will continue to need to be introduced, which will generally need to be located outside of urban areas and within the countryside where the capacity to support such developments exists,” its statement said.
However, residents and walkers have cast doubt on the plans.
Frilsham villager Helen Bewsey objected, saying it was "another erosion of farmland, that will not only be unsightly, but contribute nothing to the community”.
She questioned what the solar park would contribute given the “inconclusive environmental benefits of solar power farms in this country”.
“Please consider the huge, negative impact that this scheme could have on our community and beautiful environment. This is not the place to experiment with solar energy.”
Bucklebury resident Adam Phillpot said he was appalled that a solar farm was even being considered in the Pang Valley.
“The scar on the views that will be caused by fields being filled with metal and glass will ruin the vista across the fields from the tracks,” he said.
“An AONB must be safeguarded for the nation. If this project goes ahead you are not safeguarding the future of West Berks AONB.
“Please do not allow short term economic needs of farming and a political public relations exercise on alternative energy supply to allow this proposed development.”
The application follows councillors recently rejecting plans for a solar farm on the border of Brimpton and Woolhampton. Opinions were split between the countryside and renewable energy, but the plans were thrown out on the casting vote.
West Berkshire Council is expected to determine the application by December 10. To view the application enter 15/02076/COMIND into West Berkshire Council’s planning website.
