Solar Farm Application Refused

We get to keep our view and open countryside

There were sighs of relief in a packed public gallery when the majority of HBBC councillors voted against the controversial application to build a 16.4 acre solar panel farm on countryside adjacent to the recreation ground in Stoke Golding. This will come as a massive relief to the majority of villagers, both verbal and silent, who are against the scheme.

The discussion was once again intense and varied but it became abundantly clear that the councillors had been provided with excellent background information and that the options had been more thoroughly investigated following the previous planning meeting. The months delay in the decision had further ensured that councillors had the opportunity to make sure they were more fully informed. The additional knowledge that a recent similar case in Devon showing that the councillors could turn down the application and also potentially win following a subsequent appeal, was further valuable information to them.

When it came to the all-important vote, nine councillors were against the development and only three voted for it to go ahead. There were five abstentions from councillors who continue to be unsure which way they should vote on this landmark case. The villagers present were disappointed to note that Reg Ward (the local Borough Councillor and Chair of Stoke Golding Parish Council), voted for the application to proceed despite the Parish Council twice submitting a statement to HBBC backing the village action group SGCRAG in its objection to the solar farm.

It is clear that if the application had been passed this would have allowed Freetricity and other similar companies to push for further locations adjacent to villages around the country, thus cutting their ‘connection to the grid’ fees enormously.

The community action group, SGCRAG is indebted to the many councillors who supported them on the night but also to David Tredinnick MP, County-Councillor Ivan Ould, Cllr Michael Mullaney and Cllr Bill Crooks (through his responsibility for rural interests) who have taken much interest in this application. Their combined knowledge and support during an arduous journey through procedure has been invaluable and much appreciated. SGCRAG has worked extremely hard for the past five months to ensure as many people as possible were aware of the proposed development. This was achieved by holding information providing meetings in the village, information leaflets and an updated information blog and Facebook page.

The group has announced that it will continue to work together for the benefit of the community on other local projects in the village.