Latest planning application for solar farm at Clyst St Mary > >>> hearing in Aylesbeare >>> reports and next steps

The picture of what's happening to the applications for solar farms near Clyst St Mary is perhaps not very clear...

At the moment, there are two planning applications pending:
14/2952/MFUL | Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic solar arrays together with power inverter systems; transformer stations; internal access tracks; landscaping; CCTV; security fencing and associated access gate. | Land Surrounding Walnut Cottages Oil Mill Lane Clyst St Mary
and:
15/0123/MFUL | Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic solar arrays with inverter cabins, sub station buildings, access tracks, underground cable, fencing and CCTV, and provision of temporary car park during construction. | Kenniford Farm (land South Of) Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1AQ

It is understood that the District Council's planning committee (or Development Management Cttee) is holding off making a recommendation/decision on both planning applications until [they] receive the decision on the appeal for the Oil Mill Lane Solar Farm under reference 14/1379/MFUL.

That appeal was heard by way of an Informal Hearing yesterday and the appeal covered matters including the loss of agricultural land, visual impact and impact upon heritage assets.

Once [they] have the appeal decision (hopefully within the next month), the Inspectors decision will help to determine how [they] deal with the two applications.

East Devon District Council

This follows on from the Hearing in Aylesbeare on Tuesday and Wednesday this week:
Futures Forum: Latest planning application for solar farm at Clyst St Mary >>> hearing in Aylesbeare >>> Tuesday 9th June

On the Tuesday, the Inspector asked questions to consultees. 

On the issues, the District Council had already agreed that points such as amenity and heritage are not relevant here. 

And with regard to the issues of amenity, community engagement and ‘stakeholdership’, these are yet to be explored.

 

There was no summing up, in which case there is no indication of how the Inspector was thinking. 

The next stage will be a site visit - to determine the impact and visibility on the neighbours.

See also:

Futures Forum: "In most other countries, renewable energy projects are owned by local communities: and so there's a huge groundswell of support for them."

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