Thursday, 12 September 2013

Solar Plan for Sidmouth: comments

These are the contributors' comments so far on the District Council's portal for planning applications for the proposed solar farm near Sidbury:


Mr Joel Venn (Neutral)

Comment submitted date: Thu 12 Sep 2013

In principle I support the proposal, given there will be little visual impact on the surrounding area, and the land will still be used for an agricultural purpose.

East Devon struggles to host many renewable energy projects due to the AONB land designation. I would like to see more renewables in the area on the condition they are carefully planned, which I'm inclined to think this one is given Natural England do not object to it.

However I cannot support the proposal fully as I see no community benefit from the application. Similar projects in Cornwall give ?5,000 per installed MW capacity to a community group for the surrounding communities benefit.

The application attempts to suggest the community benefit is that if there is a power failure, the area will be the last to be disconnected due to the solar farms local power supply. This is completely false, and a simply examination of the numbers show this:

Per household average instantaneous power consumption: 2kW
Solar farm instantaneous power production at peak demand 6-7pm: 2-3MW (educated guess)

Enough instantaneous power for 1000-1500 homes

The immediate area (Sid Valley) has a population of 18,000+ so clearly far more homes than the solar farm can provide power for when the grid is likely to go down.

I would like to see a real community benefit, taking other recent projects in Cornwall as models:

-Chynoweth Farm, St Allen solar farm- ?5000 per annum per MWh of energy produced

-Causilgey Barton, Tregavethan solar farm- ?5,000 per annum per MW installed

-Pennare Farm, St Allen solar farm- Community benefit confirmed, but no specific information submitted yet.

-Little Lamriggan, Penhallow- ?5,000 per annum per MW installed

Reports and community benefit documents (which this application lacks) can be found here:

http://cornwallsolarfarms.wordpress.com/solar-park-bodmin/ 

Mr Derek Chant (Neutral)

Comment submitted date: Tue 10 Sep 2013

In principle, as chairman of a local energy group, I support the idea of a solar farm. Other members are free to express their own views
The concern in this case is that it is not clear what the community benefit could be. It would appear to be well shielded from view and with this proviso, plus that it is still utilised as agricultural land, then the fact that it is within AONB should not be a major issue. Clear community benefit should be explored before further consideration is given to this plan.

Charlie Hopkins (on Behalf Of Sid Vale Association) (Objects)

Michael Temple (Objects)

Comment submitted date: Mon 09 Sep 2013

I wish to object strongly to the above proposal on the grounds that it involves yet another violation of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this time for an industrial use.

The solar panels, which are totally out of keeping with the unspoilt nature of the ridgeland, will have a harmful visual impact and the glare will be seen across the valley.

The proposal is clearly contrary to the NPPF and to safeguards and policies in the Local Plan.

John Labrum (Objects)

Comment submitted date: Mon 09 Sep 2013

I wish to object to the following planning application -

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

There are no exceptional circumstances requiring location of this proposed development in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Therefore, this proposed development is contrary to paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework, and the application should be refused.

T J W Hale (Chairman, CPRE) (Objects)


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
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