40-year solar farm at Land To The South Of Barnsley Road, Marr

What was proposed

The application sought a 40-year, 40MW ground-mounted solar farm with panels, substations, access works, fencing, drainage and landscaping.

“Proposal Description: The application seeks full planning permission for the installation of a ground mounted photovoltaic farm with associated infrastructure, engineering works, access, and landscaping, on a site immediately to the south/southeast of the village of Marr and west of the A1(M). The proposed development would have a capacity of up to 40 megawatts (AC).”

“These include a Distributor Network Operator (DNO) substation and customer substation to be located in the north-eastern corner of the western parcel of the site, as well as a total of 13 transformer stations installed across the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement, considering renewable energy, biodiversity and economic benefits greater than the identified harms.

“Author of Report: Susie Grosse Recommendation Grant planning permission subject to the imposition of planning conditions and s106 legal agreement to secure habitat enhancement monitoring costs.”

“Benefits to the scheme include the generation of renewable energy needed to meet the rapid increase in electricity demand required to meet the UK’s transition to net zero and the nation’s energy security needs, in accordance with the Council’s declared Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency, delivery of significant on-site biodiversity net gain, as well as direct and indirect benefits to the UK and local Doncaster economy through job creation and support of economic…”

Officer report

What people objected to

Residents and parish councils raised concerns about Green Belt and farmland loss, food security, landscape, heritage, traffic, flooding, ecology, health, security and local businesses.

“Comments from the Joint Rural Parishes regarding the agricultural quality of the land are summarised separately due to the level of detail provided. Summary of objections received: Green Belt and Greenfield development: • The green belt location is inappropriate.”

“May prejudice development of future A635 bypass site which is much needed as Hickleton and Marr have been blighted for decades by a high volume of traffic on the A635. Air pollution is now at dangerous levels. Impact on local businesses: • Impact on local businesses including Marr Grange Farm Shop and Tea Room, including potential loss of jobs.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident, a parish councillor and three ward councillors spoke against the application, while the applicant’s representative supported it.

Why permission was refused

The committee found that the benefits did not clearly outweigh Green Belt, landscape, visual, amenity and significant best agricultural land harms.

“The proposed development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt which would cause harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and due to impact on openness. The benefits associated with the proposal, in terms of renewable energy generation and contribution towards climate change goals and energy security, biodiversity and other socio-economic benefits arising from the proposed development do not amount to ‘very special circumstances’ to clearly outweigh…”

Minutes