Campaigners have welcomed a decision to refuse permission for a new solar farm in Sutton St James.
Planning officers at South Holland District Council had recommended the rows of solar panels on 11.8 hectares of land in New Fen Dike were given the go-ahead despite objections from a number of residents and MP John Hayes, who feared the development would have a detrimental effect on village life.
Councillors at a meeting of the district council planning committee last week were told by officers that benefits of the panels, which would supply enough power for 939 homes, outweighed the negatives.
The villagers’ concerns centred on the visual impact on the area, including on the setting of two listed buildings, and the loss of good quality agricultural land.
One campaigner, Bob Cockerton, said: “We would like to thank the councillors who voted at the meeting to refuse the application to build a third large solar farm in our small parish.
“Despite considerable lobbying by local residents, including the recently formed Little Eau Objectors Group, the planners disappointingly recommended approval.
“However, after public presentations at the meeting by resident Michelle Coleman and John Hayes MP that argued against the proposal followed by lengthy debate by the councillors, the application was refused by ten votes to two with abstentions.
“The decision was warmly welcomed by everyone who would otherwise be affected because, in my opinion, there are just so many reasons why this development should not go ahead, none of which should be ignored in favour of renewable energy production that could and should be done elsewhere on better suited brownfield or roof sites.”
