Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Assets, Property and Economic Development and Corporate Director Finance & Commercial (s151 Officer) interim to:

(i)    Progress the Solar PV opportunity at Higher South Buckland Farm.

(ii)   Work with SSEN to secure a grid connection to enable future deployment with the next 24 months.

(iii) Enter a strategic partnership with Source Galileo to advance the project.

The project supported Dorset Council’s net zero goals and offered early delivery potential, directly contributing to the intersecting clean energy and Weymouth regeneration ambitions of the Council Plan and our climate and economy strategies.

Reason for the decision

To advance the Higher South Buckland Farm, Solar PV by securing a grid connection and enter into an agreement through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Source Galileo to advance this renewable energy project. The County Farm presented a strategic opportunity for renewable energy deployment. Securing grid access and exclusivity would enable Dorset Council to move forward with a 50MW solar PV project. This supported the Council’s net zero goals and offered a quicker win in the regeneration programme.

The Cabinet Member for Assets, Property and Economic Development introduced a report outlining a proposed strategic partnership between Source Galileo and Dorset Council. This collaboration aimed to deliver an innovative and transformational approach to accelerating the development of onshore renewable and clean energy projects on council-owned land and property. The proposed project would make a significant contribution to the Council’s clean energy ambitions as set out within the council plan, climate and economy strategies.

In response to questions relating to the future of a county farm in the Chickerell area, the Cabinet Member for Assets, Property and Economic Development clarified that the land was of moderate to poor quality. The farm was not being sold; its lease had expired, and this was an opportunity to repurpose this land.

In response to a question regarding biodiversity and green infrastructure, the Legal and Democratic Services Director and Monitoring Officer reminded members that these were planning considerations. Cabinet did not have a role to play in determining any future planning application. 

In response to further questions, members were advised that as part of the farm strategy work, all farm assets had been assessed in line with the priorities that were laid out within the strategy. This included supporting entrance into agriculture and farming opportunities. This site was not particularly well suited as a starter farm or a progression farm opportunity and as such disposal or re-purposing was considered the best way forward.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr C Sutton

Decision

That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Assets, Property and Economic Development and Corporate Director Finance & Commercial (s151 Officer) interim to:

(i)    Progress the Solar PV opportunity at Higher South Buckland Farm.

(ii)   Work with SSEN to secure a grid connection to enable future deployment with the next 24 months.

(iii) Enter a strategic partnership with Source Galileo to advance the project.

The project supported Dorset Council’s net zero goals and offered early delivery potential, directly contributing to the intersecting clean energy and Weymouth regeneration ambitions of the Council Plan and our climate and economy strategies.

Reason for the decision

To advance the Higher South Buckland Farm, Solar PV by securing a grid connection and enter into an agreement through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Source Galileo to advance this renewable energy project. The County Farm presented a strategic opportunity for renewable energy deployment. Securing grid access and exclusivity would enable Dorset Council to move forward with a 50MW solar PV project. This supported the Council’s net zero goals and offered a quicker win in the regeneration programme.