Plans for solar farm in Vale are approved - despite 206 letters of objection on the grounds it would impact upon the area's natural beauty

The panels will be placed on land at Manor Farm, in Upper Wick, after Stroud District Councillors approved the development at committee on Tuesday, January 13.

The site will generate renewable energy for approximately 550 homes in the area, but objectors argued this was not enough when contrasted with the impact on the historic environment.

The application was first submitted to the council by Upper Wick Solar Farm Ltd on October 27 last year, with the proposal requesting continued use of land for agricultural purposes and the installation of up to 5 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels and ancillary works.

After a previous appearance at a development control committee the size of the proposed development was reduced and trees and hedges introduced to protect the area's visual amenity.

Despite the changes, many still felt that damage to the surrounding landscape was something to be avoided at all costs.

An agent from Green Planning Studio speaking on behalf of residents from Nibley Green gave objections to the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting, weighing the balance of positives and negatives and concluding that refusal was the appropriate action.

She said: “Local people are concerned about the impact on the character and heritage of this sensitive area of countryside.

“Our conclusion is that the harm will be much greater than that found by groups working for the applicants.”

She drew attention the view from the grade one listed Tyndale Monument and how the panels would affect it – a point that would become a recurring theme of the debate.

When the matter reached members for debate it became apparent that most councillors were in favour of the proposal.

Green Party member Cllr John Marjoram supported the plans, and equated feelings of resentment towards developments in the Vale with Eric Pickles’ recent approval of the £500 million Javelin Park incinerator.

He said: “I think the advantage of such a scheme is clear and it can be easily moved if there’s any problems with it.

“I think lots of us are still reeling in despair over Mr Pickles’ giving the incinerator the go ahead and the implications for the Vale.

“It does seem to me that the main issue is the visual impact and I’m quite convinced that having a large surrounding of trees and hedges will reduce this.”

Not all councillors agreed, one of them being Conservative Cllr Dorcas Binns.

She said: “We have to protect the Vale and protect our heritage assets. We’re going against everything we believe in terms of protecting areas of outstanding natural beauty.

“I don’t agree that the view from Tyndale Monument will not be affected. The view from there is absolutely breathtaking and the idea I’ll go there and see thousands of panels blotching the landscape fills me absolute dread.”

Despite the objections, a movement to approve the proposal with conditions was carried.

Joe Cox, of Nibley Green, was one of the residents represented by Green Planning Studio during the committee.

Following the decision he said: “We’re obviously disappointed. It was very finely balanced but I still feel that the effect on the views was overlooked.

“We’ll be looking at the procedure that took place and making a decision on whether or not to take this further.”