Giant solar farm proposal turned down by council
LDRSPlans for a solar farm have been refused following pleas from residents.
The proposal for the site near Burnhope, County Durham, was voted down by Durham County Council's planning committee with councillors supporting local concerns about the scale of the solar farm and loss of landscape.
But the refusal was not unanimous, with some committee members claiming the development was essential to achieving the county's net zero ambitions.
The authority previously approved the solar farm in March 2023, but a judicial review brought by Burnhope residents ruled the approval "unlawful".
The applicant, Lightsource bp, resubmitted its application for the 92-hectacre (227-acre) site last year and said it had improved landscaping to minimise visual impacts.
Up to 14 fields near the County Durham village were set to be overlaid with panels, including areas near the Chapman's Well nature reserve.
LDRSHowever, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service campaigners argued the 110,640 panels would dwarf Burnhope.
Lightsource bp said the solar farm would have "a significant positive impact on the surrounding area, both environmentally and economically".
Anita Savory, county councillor for Weardale, said she could not "support this application because of the size and impact on the area and, most importantly, the impact on the community".
Supporting the proposal, Councillor Simon Wilson said: "If this was to bring bills down and to ensure energy security, then that would be something I would be happy to move towards."
Landowners said the proposed site is unsuitable for growing crops or keeping livestock.
Will Gray, one of the landowners, said the development would allow his farm to "diversify" and ensure his farm business, which employs 35 people, "remains viable".
"Farming has become more difficult on this land," Mr Gray said.
Lightsource bp is expected to appeal against the committee's decision to refuse the application.