25MW solar farm at Lentons Lane, Coventry

What was proposed

A 25MW solar farm would include about 44,000 panels, control buildings, access tracks, fencing, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

“Internal site electrical connections, to be made underground; • 4m wide access tracks providing access from existing public roads to the development parcels; • Temporary construction access junction on Lenton’s Lane, to be decommissioned and fully restored following the completion of construction activities; • Security fencing no greater than 2m in height around the solar arrays; • Security cameras located at strategic points, facing into the site; • A temporary…”

Officer report

The site

The 51-hectare site is mainly agricultural land in the Green Belt, crossed by the Oxford Canal and affected by existing power infrastructure.

“SITE DESCRIPTION The application site comprises 51 hectares (ha) of primarily agricultural land, bisected by the Oxford Canal. It is bound by the settlement of Alderman’s Green to the north, the M6 and Coventry Cruising Club to the south, Lenton’s Lane Cemetery and Sowe Common to the east and Alderman’s Green Road to the west.”

“The application site is located within Green Belt.”

Officer report

Earlier application

A similar 2024 scheme was refused because of Green Belt harm, residential amenity impacts and hardship to the tenant farmer.

“BACKGROUND Members previously considered a similar scheme at Planning Committee on 29/02/2024 under planning application PL/2023/0001062/FULM. This application was refused for the following reasons:”

“The proposal represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt and results in harm to the openness of the Green Belt and very special circumstances have not been provided or are evident which either singularly or cumulatively overcome the harm identified to the Green Belt. The proposal is therefore contrary to the aims of Coventry Local Plan Policy GB1 and the NPPF.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the revised scheme overcame earlier concerns and its renewable-energy benefits outweighed identified harms.

“Planning Committee are recommended to grant planning permission for the part of the scheme within Coventry’s administrative boundary, subject to conditions.”

“The proposal overcomes the previous reasons for refusal. • The proposal is acceptable in principle. The public and other benefits arising from the scheme are considered sufficient to outweigh any harm to the Green Belt, landscape, visual amenity and the less than substantial harm arising to the heritage assets. • The proposal will not adversely impact upon highway safety. • The proposal will not adversely impact upon the amenity of neighbours.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Several consultees raised no objection, while others sought conditions or information; Cadent and the Canal and River Trust raised concerns.

“Objections have been received from: • Cadent (Gas) Holding Objection • Grand Union Canal Transfer (GUCT)”

“Further information has been requested by: • Canal and River Trust…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Nine registered speakers, including three ward councillors, spoke against the proposal, while the agent spoke in support.

What members considered

Members heard objections from councillors and support from the agent before deciding the application with amended and additional conditions.

“The Late Representation report included updates to consultee and neighbourhood responses, clarifications to the application proposal section of the report, and an additional two conditions: one from the Canal and River Trust relating to the landscape planting scheme and another to the transformer station relating to its location.”

“Nine registered speakers, including Councillor E Ruane, a Henley Ward Councillor who sent in a statement, Councillor J Gardiner, and Councillor M Lapsa spoke in respect of their objections. The agent attended the meeting and spoke in support of the application.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant permission for the Coventry part of the scheme, subject to conditions.

“1) That planning permission be granted in respect of Application PL/2025/0001922/FULM for the part of the scheme within Coventry’s administrative boundary, subject to conditions; including the amended conditions (relating to the Canal and River Trust and the Transformer Station) as set out in the Late Representations; and delegates authority to the Strategic Lead for Planning, following consultation with the Chair of Planning Committee, to approve any additional conditions…”

Minutes

Additional conditions

The committee required managed delivery of the community benefit fund and regular reviews of site security measures.

“The community benefit fund has a managed delivery. • Site security measures be regularly reviewed.”

Minutes