PLANS for a 73-acre solar farm on agricultural land in Devon have been refused.
Torridge District Council refused the plans for the solar farm, with battery storage, on land at Ebberley Down, near Roborough, on July 26 2024.
Devon CPRE has welcomed the news, saying it is the 'right decision for Devon's countryside'. The group say this is 'one of the very few' applications that has been turned down in recent years, with Torridge District Council approving the controversial Derril Water Solar Farm near Pyworthy in 2021.
READ MORE: Derril Water solar farm in Holsworthy approved
Torridge District Council refused the plans because of the harm to the landscape, as well as the fact that the site includes a high proportion of Best and Most Versitile (BMV) agricultural land.
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During the meeting to discuss the plans, councillor Chris Leather, referred to Devon CPRE's solar farm map, which shows how many industrial-sized sites have already been approved and built within the district.
Devon CPRE director Penny Mills said: “This is really good and unexpected news! The agricultural land in question is in an unspoilt setting in the heart of the Torridge countryside between Roborough and Bickington. It’s heartening to see a Devon council, particularly Torridge, finally say 'No! Enough is enough'.
"It is also great to see a planning committee taking notice of the solar farm map we produced for just this purpose. It’s simply not the right place for this development with 60% of the site covering Grade 3a Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land. A local resident said the small rural parish of Roborough already has two solar farms in the area and a third is too much. This is a resounding victory for the countryside and local democracy.”
Torridge District Councillors voted against the application, by seven votes to two.
- You can learn more about planning applications that affect your neighbourhood by visiting the Public Notice Portal - https://publicnoticeportal.uk.
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