30MW solar farm at Land North Of Aylsham Road, Cawston

“Applicant’s Name: Grupotec Solar UK 11 Ltd Site Address Land east of Heydon Road, Heydon Proposal Erection of a solar photovoltaic installation of 30 MW output and all associated supporting infrastructure including cable routing, inverters and transformers, fencing, CCTV, and landscaping for temporary period of 42 years.”

“The application proposes the installation and operation of a 30MW solar farm with associated infrastructure that includes inverters, transformers, fencing, CCTV cameras, cable routing and landscaping for a period of 42 years.”

“The site has a total area of approximately 50 hectares (ha) and is located on arable farmland to the east of Heydon Road in the parish of Heydon. The village of Heydon is approximately 2 kilometres (km) to the northwest of the site while the centre of Cawston is approximately 1.5km to the south. The site is largely bounded by hedgerows and trees.”

“The solar farm proposed by this application will have a generating capacity of 30MW and will provide enough energy to power approximately 7,500 homes and save approximately 13,000 tonnes of CO 2 a year. National planning policy guidance and the adopted policies of the development plan provide in-principle support for renewable energy proposals.”

“The application will have acceptable impacts on the character appearance of the area – including the surrounding landscape character, heritage assets, residential amenity, highway safety, residential amenity (subject to receipt of comments from the Environmental Quality Officer on noise), trees, ecological receptors, BMV land and aviation safety and where reasonable and necessary to make the development acceptable, planning conditions can be used to mitigate impacts…”

“The nature of the site will have a negative impact on the rural landscape and character of a small community. The proposed solar panels will stand 3.3m tall behind metal security fencing with CCTV.”

“The nearby villages of Heydon, Salle and Cawston have been bisected by pipe construction for wind farm cables with interventions on local roads over the last five years, causing considerable disruption, inconvenience and danger to local residents. The connection from the site to the local substation would open yet again such disruption. • There are at least two more solar farms being considered for this same area.”

“The key considerations in the assessment of this application are as follows:”

“Principle of development • Impact on the character and appearance of the area • Cumulative impacts • Impact on heritage assets • Impact on residential amenity • Trees and ecology • The use of agricultural land • Highway safety • Flood risk and drainage…”

“Time limit for commencement (6 years) 2. 42 year period of operation 3. In accordance with approved plans and documents 4. Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation 5. Submission of details of the colour/finish to cabins 6. Submission of landscaping scheme for approval, including future management arrangements 7. Submission of Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP) 8. Implementation of HMMP 9. Submission of BNG monitoring reports 10.”

“Position of access gates 22. Provision of visibility splays 23. On-site parking for construction workers 24. Submission of and compliance with a Construction Traffic Management Plan and Access Route, including wheel cleaning facilities 25. Submission of and compliance with detailed drawings of traffic management for site access arrangements 26. Dealing with the risk of glare and aircraft safety…”

“Decision : Members voted 5-2 for refusal, contrary to officer recommendation, for the following reason:”

“Reason for overturning officer recommendation:”

“The proposed development will result in the loss of Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3a agricultural land – the Best and Most Versatile land – across the site for over 40 years. The loss and impact of losing such a significant area of Best and Most Versatile land is not considered to be outweighed by the benefits of the proposed renewable energy generation.”