Solar Plan for Sidmouth: the application

A controversial planning application has been made:

13/1817/MFUL | Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic solar array to provide 7MW generation capacity together with inverter systems; transformer station; internal access track; landscaping; security fencing and associated access gate. | Land At East Hill Strips Ridgeway Sidbury

Large solar farm planned in AONB, overlooking Sidbury. | Save Our Sidmouth
Large solar farm proposed at East Hill, overlooking Sidbury
Planning Application 13/1817/MFUL, Land At East Hill Strips (Land ... :: East Devon :: Openly Local

The agents for the applicant are based in Bristol:

Pegasus Group Ltd | Home

The applicant was 'set up by Irish state electricity utility ESB, through its clean energy investment arm ESB Novusmodus, and Ludgate, an environmental investment company.'

On its webpage 'Community Benefits' it states that its  'main business is in helping farmers diversify their incomes through solar farms.'

It asks the question:



Whilst their 'sites are seeded with specific wild grasses and flowering species as advised by our range of conservation specialists that encourage a full range of biodiversity...'
it is perhaps contradicted by the prevalence of sheep:

(See: George Monbiot – Obstinate Questionings)

It does, however, promise energy security:

You may... remember that electricity instantly flows from the nearest supply location to the nearest demand location first. Once the demand locally has been met it then moves to other demand centres further afield. What this means from a practical perspective for a local community is that nearly all of the electricity demand during the daytime in the area surrounding a solar farm will come from the solar farm directly. You can be happy in knowing that if there is a power failure, your proximity to a supply centre – the solar farm – will ensure that you will be one of the last to be switched off.

Community Benefits | Lumicity Ltd  

More to come...

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