Agenda item

Construction of Solar Farm and associated infrastructure.

The Case Officer provided members with an update to the officer’s report and presented a visual overview of the proposed solar farm development, using aerial photographs and site plans to explain the location, context, and relevant planning policies. The site is situated within the designated Green Belt, near the proposed North Farm Solar Farm and close to the National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)).There are also some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the wider area. The rural site, bordered by agricultural land and Remedy Oak Golf Club, accessed via Horton Road and intersected by public rights of way. A grid connection has been secured through the nearby Mannington Substation. Revised plans, submitted in December 2024, followed additional ecological surveys. The proposed development included 21 transformers (each approx. 3 meters high), solar panel arrays with inverter units, storage containers, fencing, and security cameras. The officer outlined visual impact assessments, including mitigation through planting scheme agreed with Dorset Council landscape officers. The officer presented the Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act and the need to ‘seek further’ to enhance the character of the National Landscape. While acknowledging the industrial appearance of solar panels could not enhance the National Landscape, the officer concluded that mitigation would conserve natural beauty and contain visual impact to the immediate site. The application was advertised publicly, and all comments were made available online.

The proposal's impact on the Green Belt was given substantial weight, while the loss of agricultural land carried moderate weight. However, the renewable energy benefits and public interest were judged to outweigh the harm. Heritage concerns were minimal, with only Horton Tower potentially affected, however resulting in no harm as presented. Historic England raised no objections, and the County Archaeologist requested conditions. The development posed no significant risks to residential amenity, trees, or biodiversity and was located in Flood Zone 1 (low flood risk). Access via Horton Road was deemed sufficient, with construction expected to last approximately 28 weeks and minimal traffic during operation. On balance, the planning officer found that very special circumstances existed and therefore planning permission was recommended, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Public Participation

The agent supported the officer’s recommendation for approval, noting strong backing for the proposal. She referenced the declared climate emergency and the Council’s Green Power Action Plan targeting clean energy by 2030. The proposal, capable of generating up to 30 megawatts, had secured a grid connection and was identified as a priority, deliverable scheme. She noted the 40-year operational period, after which the site would be restored, and confirmed that design and planning measures had minimised landscape impact. With no outstanding objections from consultees, she considered the proposal acceptable in terms of impact, delivering energy for thousands of homes, socioeconomic benefits, and supporting continued agricultural use.

Members questions and comments

• Clarification was sought regarding the protection status of nearby ancient woodlands and whether appropriate safeguards had been put in place.
• Queried whether existing hedgerows would be removed and, if so, whether there were plans for their replacement or enhancement in line with biodiversity commitments.
• It was noted that there was no significant flood risk to waterways, as confirmed by the Environment Agency.
• Further details were requested on lighting to ensure compliance with dark skies policies and to minimise light pollution.
• The officer was thanked for their comprehensive report and detailed presentation.
• The need to address whether the proposal met the threshold for ‘very special circumstances’ required for development in the Green Belt was emphasised.
• Consideration was given to the visual impact on Horton Tower, particularly during winter months when natural screening would be reduced.
• Clarification was requested regarding how the development would connect to the national grid and what infrastructure this would require.
• Clarification was sought to better understand the temporary nature of the proposal, and how this was weighed against the benefits of energy generation and the visual impact assessment.
• Confirmation was requested as to whether there would be any loss of agricultural land as a result of the development.
• Clarification was sought on the percentage increase in biodiversity net gain and the methodology used to determine it.
• It was confirmed that all reasonable mitigation measures to reduce visual impact had been considered.
• Cllr Tooke stated that he did not believe very special circumstances had been demonstrated and therefore could not support the application.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT the planning application, as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Belinda Bawden, and seconded by Cllr David Taylor.

Decision: Grant subject to conditions set out in the officer’s report.

The Committee adjourned and reconvened at 11:30am