logo
Appeal hearing into Thrapston solar farm set to begin

Appeal hearing into Thrapston solar farm set to begin

BBC News20-05-2025
A public inquiry is set to get under way following the rejection of plans for a major solar farm in Northamptonshire. The proposed facility would cover 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the A14 near Thrapston.North Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning officers. Following an appeal from the developer, the Planning Inspectorate will now hold a public inquiry over two days, starting on Tuesday.
What are the plans?
The proposed site of Wood Lodge Solar Farm would span 145 acres (59 hectares) near the A14 at Thrapston.The applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 homes.Wood Lodge Solar Project Limited also claims it will deliver green energy that saves 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuels.It has said the proposed site is the "lowest grade land within reach of the grid connection point" and the project "represents a forward-thinking solution that supports the country's transition to renewable energy".
Who is campaigning against it?
Campaign group Staunch is opposed to the plans and is fighting the appeal as a Rule 6 party, which is when a group other than the appellant and local authority has permission to take an active part and provide evidence.Kevin Shapland, group chair, said: "In principle, Staunch are in favour of renewable energy and recognise its importance. "However, solar farm developments should not be taking place on good agricultural land which is so vital in securing the future needs of our country."
What does the council say?
Planning officers had advised the council to approve the project, arguing the renewable energy benefits outweighed potential harms.However, the council's planning committee voted against the proposal in October after hearing from residents and campaigners who claimed the solar farm would dominate the countryside and consume valuable farmland.In February, North Northamptonshire Council said it would not be defending its decision at the inquiry.Jason Smithers, then council leader, said at the time: "The planning inspector will hear all views, evidence and facts before making a decision."The council will support and co-operate fully with the Planning Inspectorate, including working on a statement of common ground which will establish those matters which are agreed with the main parties, and which will assist the planning inspector in their decision."
What will happen in the inquiry?
The hearing is due to begin on Tuesday at the council chamber of North Northamptonshire Council in Thrapston. It is expected to last two days and will hear from the appellant and interested parties.The planning inspector's verdict will be released on an unspecified date following the hearing.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Northamptonshire holiday park expansion refusal appeal dismissed
Northamptonshire holiday park expansion refusal appeal dismissed

BBC News

timea day ago

  • BBC News

Northamptonshire holiday park expansion refusal appeal dismissed

An appeal against a refusal to expand a luxury holiday park has been dismissed by the planning owners of Overstone Park Resort near Northampton wanted to add 77 holiday units to the 120 that already existed at the Northamptonshire Council turned down the application last year, but the owners appealed the government's Planning Inspectorate said the placement of 32 of the lodges on the eastern edge of the park would impact the "natural beauty [and] relative tranquillity" of the site. The plans were met with criticism from members of the public at the time, attracting about 150 objections and disapproval from the Lodge Owners' Association, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Park is a long-established golf resort complex, with a members' clubhouse, 115 lodges, tennis courts and a bowling refused the expansion plans on the basis that they would harm the character and appearance of the area, intrude on the designated green wedge and disturb the setting of heritage assets at the Overstone Hall Planning Inspectorate's report found the additional two-storey lodges proposed for the western edge of the park would undermine its visual and historical relationship within the setting of Overstone Park Resort previously said the expansion would help turn it into a luxury destination and allow further investment in state-of-the-art inspector agreed that the proposal would assist in improving the local tourist offer, leading to increased jobs and spending, as well as securing investment into the golf report concluded: "Whilst I find that the proposal would contribute positively to the economic and social objectives, it would result in significant environmental harm which would outweigh these benefits."I therefore conclude that the appeal should be dismissed." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Firm appeals against Sunderland advert screen rejection
Firm appeals against Sunderland advert screen rejection

BBC News

time2 days ago

  • BBC News

Firm appeals against Sunderland advert screen rejection

Plans for a digital advertising screen, blocked by council planning officers, are set to be decided by a government-appointed planning appeal has been lodged against Sunderland City Council's decision to refuse permission for the site in the Easington Lane Wildstone Estates Limited's plan was linked to the side of a building near a roundabout connecting High Street and Elemore Lane, as part of a nationwide drive to "upgrade traditional advertising hoardings to a modern digital format".However, the council's planning department warned it would be over-dominant visually and pose a distraction for motorists. Wildstone Estates Limited has submitted an appeal to the national Planning Inspectorate, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, and a planning inspector will be appointed by the secretary of state to rule on the company argues the site is an "established location for advertising" and is in an area which includes a mix of commercial and residential uses. 'Very safe road' It also said refusing the plans on visual amenity grounds was "not justified" and stressed the screen would be controlled by sensors to "adjust the illumination levels" and ensure "no change in impact" compared to a standard "paper and paste display".On public safety matters, it was noted that the site is in an "uncomplicated location which drivers should be able to navigate with ease" and data was cited which, the appellant said, indicated the site is a "very safe stretch of road".Earlier this year, the Planning Inspectorate threw out a similar appeal by Wildstone Estates Limited for a site in Sunderland's Kayll Road, near the Royal Hospital. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

Yaxley homes plans could 'compromise buffer' with Peterborough
Yaxley homes plans could 'compromise buffer' with Peterborough

BBC News

time5 days ago

  • BBC News

Yaxley homes plans could 'compromise buffer' with Peterborough

There are concerns a major new housing development on the edge of a village could "compromise the buffer" between it and a city - if it is allowed to be politicians said plans for 115 new homes in Yaxley in Cambridgeshire would erode its boundary with Huntingdonshire District Council said it would not fight the developer's appeal to build the homes at Livery Stable Folly Farm, after previously refusing planning Properties Cambridgeshire Ltd escalated their proposals to the Planning Inspectorate, which is considering the appeal. At a hearing on Tuesday, lawyers representing the council said there had been changes in the national calculations that determined how many homes must be built in the area to meet housing demand. 'Overdevelopment' Barrister Rowan Clapp said the council still believed that the homes would impact the visual and physical separation of Yaxley and the nearby Great Haddon development in Peterborough, but that it accepted this did not outweigh the benefits of extra planning inspector who led the hearing is yet to make a final decision on overturning the council's original Taylor KC, representing the developer, said at the meeting that there was no specific local policy stopping Yaxley and Peterborough from said 40% of the new homes would be designated as Parish Council maintained its objection to the plans, raising concerns about "overdevelopment".Chair Andrew Wood said the housing would "compromise the buffer between Yaxley and Peterborough", which he described as a "confined area"."The fact that Huntingdonshire has a requirement for a significant number of houses does not mean, in our view, that Yaxley should be compacted even more," he said at the hearing."Yaxley has taken its share already. Other areas should do so."Developers would have to submit specific design plans before any houses could be built if the Planning Inspectorate agreed to quash Huntingdonshire District Council's earlier planning refusal. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store