Villagers rally to block solar farm project

An action group has been formed in an attempt to block the creation of a new solar farm in a rural location.

The development, which would cover an area the size of 1,300 football pitches, has been proposed near the villages of Fenwick, Moss, Topham and Sykehouse, to the east of Doncaster.

Boom Power said that its Fenwick Solar Project would supply electricity to 75,000 homes and cover 536 hectares of land.

If built, it would be located in the constituency of Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband - who was recently appointed energy secretary.

Fenwick Solar Farm Action Group member Ami Sett said that the land should instead be used for food production.

He told the BBC: "Solar would work today, but there are other alternatives to put your solar panels on instead of taking up valuable farmland which should be farmed for food."

Mr Sett, a software developer, lives in Moss, close to the proposed site.

He added: "It will take up 70% of the beautiful, idyllic village of Fenwick. It’s going to ruin people’s walks, it’s going to ruin public bridleways, not to mention the ecological disaster it will cause."

Developers Boom Power hosted two public consultation meetings for residents to learn more about the scheme, which would be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

A spokesperson for Boom Power said feedback from the events had “helped identify how potential impacts could be reduced" and had informed the design process.

In the former mining town of Askern, around three miles away, some residents said they welcomed green energy developments if they would reduce electricity bills.

Jonathan Smith said: ‘I feel OK about. We got something through the post showing plans, maybe a 10-page A4 document with aerial photographs, and it just surprised me how big it is."

Another resident pointed out that there was already a solar farm near the old Askern Main Colliery site and asked why another was needed.

Timmy Johnson said he supported the scheme and added: “I think there’s plenty of land. We’ve got to get power from somewhere so why not? I’m not against it, I just want my electricity bill to go down."

Because of its NSIP status, permission to build Fenwick Solar Project would have to be granted by the government rather than Doncaster Council.

Boom Power said it would submit a formal planning application later in 2024. It was recently granted consent to proceed with a similar scheme in Hull.

It said wildlife habitats would be created at the Fenwick site and public rights of way would be preserved.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “Solar power is crucial to achieving net zero, providing an abundant source of cleaner, cheaper energy.

“The government has already taken immediate action to boost the role of solar – approving three major solar projects and launching a rooftop revolution for solar panels on new homes."

The BBC contacted Ed Miliband MP for comment.