‘Brilliant start!’ Solar farms plans refused at Sutton St James and Sutton St Edmund, but campaigner believes fight not over yet
A councillor has called the refusal of two solar farm plans a ‘brilliant start’ - but fears their fight has not been won just yet.
South Holland District Council’s planning officers turned down the requests, which would also have seen battery energy storage systems installed on almost 200 hectares of land at Sutton St James and Sutton St Edmund.
Cllr Laura Eldridge, who represents the Saints ward, has campaigned to keep solar farms off prime agricultural land in the region, calling for the Fens to become a protected area to safeguard its food production.
“I think I’ve made my position, and that of the residents who have contacted me, pretty clear on it, and it’s brilliant that the officer’s recommendation on both was to refuse,” she said.
“I’m sure it will go to appeal, but it’s just up to us then to defend our position.
“Hopefully, the inspectorate, if it does go to appeal, will see eye to eye and agree with us.”
Pathfinder Clean Energy (PACE) had applied to construct a solar farm on land east of Guanockgate Road at Sutton St Edmund, on land covering more than 140 hectares.
Meanwhile, Integrum SPV had applied to construct a solar farm on a 44.2-hectare parcel of land at Fendyke Farm, Off Old Fendyke, at Sutton St James.
The PACE application also spread over the county border into Cambridgeshire, where the second part of the application failed to get the green light from Fenland district councillors.
“I’ve been working with Cllr Brenda Barber at Fenland regarding the PACE application,” Cllr Eldridge added.
“I know their officer’s recommendation was to approve that particular side of the application, but that went to committee and I submitted my objections to that, which was refused at committee. So that’s a brilliant start.”
Integrum SPV’s application for Sutton St James received both letters of support and objection.
Arguments made by those in favour highlighted financial stability for the farm, a development focused on less productive land and energy independence.
But those against feared impacts to local flora, fauna and wildlife, highway safety and pollution during construction and decommissioning.
One objection pointed out planning permission for a 33 hectare solar application on the site was refused in July 2014, adding there is already an operational 52 acre solar development at Grange Farm, two miles away.
Sutton St James Parish Council were also against the plans, stating: “Whilst the council acknowledges the need for energy security for the country, it feels that the recent wave of applications across the country but specifically in the east of England is going to have an adverse effect on our ability to provide food security.
“High and medium grade land is being used that is suitable for growing crops which longer term makes us more open to worldwide issues (see Ukraine war and crop shortages).
“There also seems to be no community benefit for when these farms are being thrust upon rural communities.”
In neighbouring Sutton St Edmund, Pathfinder Clean Energy had applied to construct a solar farm, with their battery energy storage system, which stores excess energy to be released at times of low production, proposed to have been held within 38 containers.
Cambridgeshire County Council and Sutton St James and Tydd St Giles Parish Councils all objected to the proposals.
Reasons included drainage, transport and visual impact concerns.
SHDC planners refused the application, stating the proposals were considered not to be in accordance with the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan and contrary to the National Policy Statement for renewable energy infrastructure.
