Greenfield solar farm approved for 40 years

Developers hoping to build a 78-acre (31-hectare) solar farm on a greenfield site have been granted planning permission.

Grange Farm Partnership sought approval to develop the site at Preston Deanery, just outside Northampton, for a period of 40 years, then permission would expire.

The scheme was described as temporary because, unlike a bricks-and-mortar development, it would never become permanent.

West Northamptonshire Council's (WNC) strategic planning committee approved the scheme on Tuesday.

Councillors at the meeting raised concerns about the "temporary" nature of the project and the loss of agricultural land for food production during this time, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Eleni Marshall, the developer's agent, told the committee she appreciated "40 years is a long time, but it's not permanent in the context of something which is bricks, mortar, tarmac etcetera which will never come up".

The site is just outside the Brackmills Industrial Estate and will contain 48,802 panels, according to the application.

Reform UK councillor Richard Pipes asked why the panels were being put on fields instead of being installed on the rooftops of warehouse buildings and car parks, such as those at Brackmills.

Marshall said there was a brownfield first approach to applications, but that other sites were needed to help meet the government's renewable energy objectives.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, saying the loss of agricultural land did not outweigh the "substantial public benefits" arising from the generation of renewable energy and the contribution to national net zero objectives.

The application was approved by seven votes to one, with five members abstaining.

Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.