Plans for a new solar farm on the Isle of Wight — which could generate enough energy for around 9,300 homes — could get the go-ahead today (Tuesday).
The proposed Barnfield Solar Farm has been met by fierce opposition, with more than 100 objections from residents, the Island’s MP and local town and parish councils, although IW Council planning officers recommend its approval.
Objectors argue there will be zero local benefits, and that the solar farm would be visually intrusive, change the character of a country lane, increase the risk of flooding and mean it is more likely pollution could enter Barnfields Stream and Yarmouth Estuary.
Bob Seely MP called the plan inappropriate for the site, citing an ‘industrial character incompatible with the rural setting.’
However, the National Trust is supporting the plans, saying it would provide much-needed green energy that would be well-screened from local residents.
Another 40 supportive comments have also been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
Concerns about the security measures been raised by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Designing Out Crime Officer, who says thefts from solar farms have sharply increased.
Along with solar panels, CCTV cameras, perimeter fences, inverters and transformers would be installed.
The Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee will consider the application tomorrow.
Officers said the solar farm would result in significant positive economic, social and environmental benefits, outweighing the minimal to moderate negative impacts.
Those negative impacts, the officers say, would be a loss of both ‘moderate to good’ quality agricultural land and a section of public right of way.
Recommended approval is subject to 21 conditions; including tree protection measures, the enhancement of the public footpath and installing security measures.
The solar farm is planned for the outskirts of Yarmouth, next to the Wilmingham Solar Farm, on Wilmingham Lane, near Thorley, and would operate for 40 years.
It has reduced in size since the plans were first submitted, by Low Carbon UK, but could still produce approximately 28 megawatts a year, exported to the network via Shalfleet Substation.
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