PLANS for a solar farm on the Somerset Levels large enough to provide enough power 17,000 homes a year have been revealed.
The development, proposed by Elgin Energy, would see panels installed on more than 59 hectares (around 145 acres) of agricultural land at Redlands Farm, off Nythe Road, near Pedwell.
The site neighbours another Redlands Farm site which is already home to solar farm.
Elgin said grazing would continue on the land, with the site returned to its current state once the panels reach the end of their generating life – around 40 years.
However, the scheme has been met with opposition from some residents, who have formed a group against the proposal.
Save Our Somerset Levels (SOS Levels) says the scheme would be taking away valuable farmland.
“Our campaign is not against green energy initiatives such as wind and solar energy,” a spokesperson said. “We would support solar panels on roofs, brownfield sites and previously developed land.
“Well-screened, small scale and inobtrusive solar panels on poor farmland may be acceptable to local communities following a proper consultation process.
“We are against the Nythe Road solar farm expansion not only because it is inappropriate and too big, but also because if approved it will tempt other farmers on The Levels to follow suit.
“Current planning policy has not yet caught up with the environmental impact and loss of food security brought about by the solar industry.
“The government’s carte blanche allows agile developers to plough ahead with irresistible offers to farmers to develop huge greenfield sites which damage our countryside and ignore the huge potential of roof-mounted solar.”
A layout plan of the proposed Nythe Road Solar Farm, near Pedwell. Picture: Elgin Energy/Somerset Council
But Elgin said the development would allow for grazing to continue, bringing an increase in biodiversity, as well as helping the UK achieve net zero targets.
“Once operational, the development will be monitored remotely and will not require any permanent staff to be located on site,” the application said.
“Occasional maintenance activities will be required for cleaning of the solar panels, in the event of damage and routine checks. Occasional site visits to the substation may also be required.
“Vegetation will grow under the solar panels and will require maintenance. It is intended that sheep will graze the site to maintain the field vegetation at a low height, otherwise landscape contractors will visit the site to ensure vegetation does not overgrow the panels.”
Once decommissioned, the land would be returned as much as possible to its current state over a period of four to six months, the plan said.
It said it would, however, create “some localised obstruction to views available from the local landscape, particularly from local public rights of way that pass through, or in close proximity to it”.
This is another point of objection for SOS Levels.
They said: “You may find it useful to visit Redlands Farm and look at the views enjoyed from the public footpaths crossing Pedwell Hill and passing through the farmyard.
“Try to imagine what the fields would look like covered by solar panels and how this would impact on the character of this intrinsically beautiful landscape.”
For more details on the scheme, and to comment, log on to www.somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 2023/1892/FUL.
Too big, too many, too destructive, too hideous and should be opposed. Leave the Somerset levels alone.