A SOLAR farm plan for fields near Thornbury has been labelled as a boost for energy and the environment, but criticised by objectors for "industrialising" the countryside.
Renewable Energy Systems has applied to South Gloucestershire Council for planning permission to build a solar farm on 53.4 hectares of agricultural land near Varley Farm in Cromhall.
More than 160 solar panels - with a height of up to 3.5m - have been proposed for a temporary 40 year period.
The company says its farm will deliver clean, green electricity at the lowest cost for consumers and support the UK's target of becoming net zero by 2050.
However, campaigners have pointed out that there are already eight large solar farms within a five-mile radius of Cromhall, including the largest in Europe, at Wickwar.
Cromhall Parish Council has also expressed opposition to the plans, citing concerns about access, flooding, biodiversity, and wildlife.
A parish council spokesperson said a statement: “We strongly object to the construction of Varley Solar Farm.
“We consider this will have an overall negative impact on not just the immediate neighbours of the planned site, but the village and wider community.
“We are concerned over the reduction to Cromhall residents' access to public footpaths, walks in nature and wellbeing.
“As there are numerous fields bordering the M5, wouldn't it be better to utilise these rather than blight another village in an area which is already under building development pressures?”
A protest group - Say No to an Industrial Cromhall - has been set up by residents and neighbours who oppose the development.
The group similarly believes that the site is not an appropriate location, that it would be damaging to wildlife and that it would result in the loss of productive farmland.
A spokesperson said: “Decision making on solar in South Gloucestershire is out of control and has to stop.
“We are being used and not listened to on the loss to our countryside, habitat and heritage.
“Our community and landscape are being industrialised by stealth and enough is enough.
“We have come together to raise awareness to our local community who will be directly and negatively impacted by this huge development.
“This is not NIMBY-ISM. This is a call that the only decision that can be made with the information currently available is a full rejection to the proposal".
RES estimates that the Varley Solar Farm will generate around £80,000 in business rates per year.
It also says its farm will supply up to 25,000 megawatts per hour of renewable energy to the grid every year.
A RES spokesperson said in its application: “The scale of development on site has been determined by the equipment necessary to efficiently generate renewable energy.
“When viewed from nearby public vantage points, the scale development will not be overbearing due to its limited height and relatively benign appearance.
“While a scheme of this size will inevitably be visible and have an effect on landscape character, the development has been located so as to minimise effects as far as possible.”
The planning application currently has 81 objections and 10 comments of support.
You can comment and view the plans by visiting the district council’s planning website and search P22/07114/F - you can comment until Thursday, February 16.
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