PC Objects to Solar Fram

OBJECTION TO DEERES LEAP SOLAR FARM

Moreton Morrell Parish Council strongly objects to this planning application in view of the cumulative impact these development proposals would have on the rural landscape character (Core Strategy CS5 policy) with no energy benefits to the local community.

There is currently 1000 acres of solar farms within a five-mile radius of Moreton Morrell and Lighthorne parishes in the Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Council areas in the planning, construction or operational status. The cumulative impact of another solar farm would therefore be significant to the historic setting of the parish to the local landscape character with a severe loss of good quality Grade 3 agricultural food producing land.

Our concerns also extend to the creation of two new vehicle access points off the Fosse Way B4455, which has unrestricted speed limits in this location, providing entry and exits to each of the Lighthorne and Moreton Morrell sites on either side of this extremely busy and fast moving road – necessitating for the removal of huge swathes of existing hedgerows and trees to create the required vehicle splays.

The location of these two new access points will consequently urbanise this section of the Fosse Way and destroy its landscape character, whilst increasing road dangers to motorists.

In addition, the proposals do not accord with Stratford District Council’s Renewable Energy Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, which is still used to assess the capacity and sensitivity of the landscape in the Core Strategy to accommodate such schemes (Core Strategy CS3 policy).  In view of the size and scale of this proposed solar farm which falls over the defined Feldon Parklands and Feldon Lias Farmlands areas, the evidence base identifies sites that are more than 25 hectares as highly sensitive.  The proposed Deeres Leap site is more than 48 hectares and consequently is over development of the site and highly sensitive!

The solar farm proposals also do not accord with Core Strategy CS8 policy – Historic Environment, which must be protected.  The site alongside the Fosse Way lies adjacent to one of the most significant Roman Roads in England and has already been evidenced as a site of special historic and archaeological interest, as it contains many historical features and non-designated heritage assets and their settings.

It is noted in the planning submission that no Archaeological survey has been carried out on the Moreton Morrell side of the site, which must be rectified in view of the historical artefacts of being within such close proximity of a medieval village.

In addition, the proposal fails against the Core Strategy CS9 policy in terms of its design and distinctiveness – “All forms of development will improve the quality of the public realm and enhance the sense of place, reflecting the character and distinctiveness of the locality. Proposals that would damage or destroy features which positively contribute to local distinctiveness will not be permitted.”

The combination of these planning proposals therefore fail on all four key policies CS3, CS5, CS8 and CS9 of the Core Strategy and we urge the district council to refuse planning permission.

You can view the application and submit own comments here :- https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/eplanning/AppDetail.aspx?appkey=SIB98HPMLKN00