Solar farm at Land At Foxholes Farm Bathley Lane, North Muskham

What was proposed

A solar photovoltaic farm of up to 49.9MW would occupy five fields for 40 years, with panels, tracks, infrastructure, fencing and ecological enhancements.

“The Proposal 3.1 The proposal is for a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm on land at Foxholes Farm, Newark. The development would have the capacity of up to 49.9MW of renewable energy. The description of development is as follows: “Construction of a solar farm with all associated works, equipment and necessary infrastructure.” The proposed development will include arrays of PV panels, access tracks, ancillary equipment including inverters, a District Network Operator…”

“The lifespan of the development is 40 years. Upon decommissioning, the panels will be removed and taken away for disposal/recycling and the land shall be returned to its original form, in this instance agricultural land. It is noted that during the application, the scheme has been amended. The amendments included inserting an Archaeological exclusion zone and removing panels from the southwestern edge of the site.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 75-hectare site is open agricultural land west of the A1, near Bathley, Norwell and Cromwell, with heritage assets and public rights of way nearby.

“The Site 1.1 The site comprises approximately 75 hectares of agricultural land, comprising 5 arable fields with hedgerow and tree boundaries around the majority of the perimeter. The fields range in size from relatively small to large, and are of variable shape, some are predominantly rectilinear. The site is currently open and undeveloped, free from built form.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because substantial renewable-energy benefits, biodiversity gains and employment benefits were considered to outweigh landscape and heritage harm.

“Regarding the heritage harm, paragraph 215 requires that where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. As outlined above, the public benefits of the proposal are meeting an identified need for renewable energy production to both assist the climate crisis and secure energy security.”

“However, Officers consider the substantial public benefits associated with the provision of renewable energy, together with the additional benefits from the biodiversity net gain and the employment benefits, decisively outweigh the harms identified on both heritage and landscape terms.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and a representative of Norwell Parish Council spoke against the application, while the agent spoke in support.

What members debated

Members focused on the site’s landscape and heritage effects, agricultural land, traffic, ineffective screening, cumulative solar development and the lack of community benefit.

“Other Members commented on the cumulative impact from other solar farms in the area and felt that there was no community benefit from this development in spite of the impact it would have on local residents. This application site would have an impact on more heritage assets than another local proposal near Kelham which only impacted on one.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The vote to approve was lost unanimously, with no votes for and 13 votes against.

“A vote was taken and lost for approval with 0 votes For and 13 votes Against.”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was refused because harm to listed buildings, including the church and windmill, and major harm to the Conservation Area outweighed the benefits.

“AGREED Moved Councillor A Freeman and Seconded Councillor L Dales (unanimously) that contrary to Officer recommendation Planning Permission be Refused, for the following reason:”

“(i) Adverse impact on the setting of the Listed Building’s, notably Grade I Church and windmill and major adverse impact on the Conservation Area etc outweighed the benefits.”

Minutes