Solar farm to be built on historic estate

Plans to install a solar farm on the site of a historic estate have been given the green light.

The 49.9-megawatt facility will be installed on about 65 hectares (160.6 acres) of farmland in the grounds of the Grade I listed Chillington Hall near Codsall, Staffordshire.

It will be in place for up to 40 years, after which the site could be restored to agricultural land, according to a South Staffordshire Council planning officer’s report.

“The application will provide financial benefits to Chillington Hall and the wider estate,” the report said.

Concerns had previously been raised about the impact the development would have on the estate.

In its objection, Brewood and Coven Parish Council described it as an inappropriate industrial development on green belt land.

But the planning officer’s report said the income generated by the scheme would benefit the estate by funding maintenance work on the hall and the Grade II* listed park where it is set.

Councillors voted to approve the plans at a meeting of South Staffordshire Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

During the meeting, councillor Christopher Steel raised concerns about fire safety measures and questioned the proposed distance between battery units.

But committee chairman councillor Mark Evans said the fire service had not raised any objections.

“The points you raise are valued. It’s just with the application we have this evening we have no alternative but to go ahead with the recommendation of the fire service and they have raised no objection,” he said.

The Chillington Hall estate has been the home of the Giffard family since the late 12th Century, with the current building dating back to 1724.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.