Large scale solar farm refused permission
It would have provided clean energy to 17,600 homes and supported renewable energy but local residents campaigned to have it stopped
By Bill Edgar, local democracy reporter
Campaigners are celebrating after plans for a large-scale solar farm in the County Durham countryside were refused.
Hare Hill Solar’s proposal for the large-scale site in Haswell Plough, was voted down by Durham County Council’s planning committee after an intense debate.
The developer hoped to operate the 62.7-hectare site, at Harehill Farm, alongside a battery storage system for 40 years, but faced significant opposition from residents.
Janice Ferguson warned her family would become “prisoners in our own home” if the solar farm went ahead. Describing the devastating impacts of the proposed solar farm, she said:
“In every direction, we will be surrounded by wire fencing, security lighting, and CCTV cameras. We will have to endure at least a year of dust and drilling while 90,000 panels are piledriven into the ground all around us.”
Ms Ferguson was joined by 24 other objectors, including local MP Grahame Morris, who opposed the proposal due to the potential visual harm to local communities, potential noise issues, and the overall impact on the landscape and amenity.
He said: “The thought of residents being surrounded by rows of solar panels is understandably distressing.”
Despite the concerns, Durham County Council’s planning department backed the development alongside 55 letters of support. Hare Hill Solar said it would provide clean energy to 17,600 homes and support renewable energy.
Kenneth Morton, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the application has been altered following local feedback and concerns, telling the meeting: “This scheme has planning officers’ recommendation for approval, it seeks to minimsie local impacts, enables the survival of two local businesses, supports jobs, and supports biodiversity.”
Supporting the scheme, councillor Mark Wilkes warned the application could quickly be overturned at appeal by a government planning inspector.
He said: “There is no impact on farmland, which in any shape or form can be considered to be negative. In fact, it will probably improve it over a period of time.”
However, a majority of committee members sided with the campaigners’ concerns. Councillor Alan Bell warned: “It’s immense, it’s enormous. The landscape harm is not going to be overcome. I can’t support his application.”