Sunday, 31 May 2015

Latest planning application for solar farm at Clyst St Mary: 9th-10th June ... and the promise of shared ownership

There is more news on the upcoming applications for solar farms in East Devon:
Futures Forum: Latest planning application for solar farm at Clyst St Mary: Tuesday 16th June

A comment posted on this blog yesterday gives an update:

Solstice said...
Hi - events have moved on with Solstice Renewables' solar farm proposals for Shepherd's Farm and Kenniford Farm, and they will not now be decided by the planning committee on June 16th. 
However, the appeal hearing for the original planning application for the 7.5MW solar farm at Shepherd's Farm will be taking place on June 9th and 10th. 
If this is successful part of the solar farm will be made available for community ownership under the government's new 'shared ownership' framework.
Futures Forum: Latest planning application for solar farm at Clyst St Mary: Tuesday 16th June - comment

More information has been forthcoming:

The decision to postpone the decision on Kenniford has been taken by the District Council's planning committee - the applicant has had no influence on this:

Details for the appeal hearing for the first application for 7.5MW at Shepherd’s Farm have now been confirmed: it will be held on 9th-10th June at:    
Aylesbeare Village Hall, Village Way, Aylesbeare, Exeter EX5 2BS starting at 10 am (not Sidmouth as previously thought)
Most of the discussion is expected to happen on Tuesday 9th:
Aylesbeare Parish Council - Home
Aylesbeare Parish Council - Meeting Dates Agendas & Minutes

Here is more information from the CPRE:
Shepherds Farm, Clyst St Mary Solar Park (23 acres) – pending decision « CPRE Devon

And this is a piece from the Express & Echo last year:
Exeter's Crealy set to get solar power park | Exeter Express and Echo

The promise of part community ownership has been flagged by the developers, by which a share offer would be launched enabling local people to invest directly in the solar farms.

This has been pushed  by the government and welcomed by the industry:

The Community Energy Strategy sets out our vision for shared ownership: 
• From 2015 it will be commonplace for communities to be offered the opportunity of some level of ownership of new, commercially developed onshore renewables projects 
• Includes a commitment from the renewables industry to facilitate this 
• Government will review progress in 2015 and if this is limited, we will consider requiring all developers to offer the opportunity of a shared ownership element to communities

Shared Ownership – DECC’s perspective

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