Plan to build solar farm next to motorway to be decided by councillors
SOLAR FARM: Plans to install thousands of panels next to the M50 are set to be decided (Image: MHDC)
PLANS to put thousands of solar panels in a field next to the M50 motorway will be decided by councillors this week.
Whiting Ash Farms wants to install 5,800 solar panels on land south of School Lane in Pendock and immediately north of the M50, on the Worcestershire border.
It says the solar farm would provide power for a planned housing development to the west of the site.
The solar scheme is on the agenda for Malvern Hills District Council’s (MHDC) southern area planning committee, which meets on Wednesday (August 26).
FIELD: The entrance to the site earmarked for 5,800 solar panels (Image: MHDC)
In planning documents submitted to the council, the scheme is described as a “microgrid”, which would allow the farm to diversify while continuing to have grazing land.
“The electricity generated will provide a social role assisting in supporting future householders of the adjoining development, the school, and the community,” the plans state.
“In an environmental sense the proposal makes a positive contribution towards MHDC’s declared climate emergency, providing clean green energy.
“The proposals, linked with the adjoining development, include [an] opportunity for provision of green infrastructure, village amenity space, and for improvements to bio-diversity and ecology that would otherwise not be delivered.”
But a number of residents have objected to the plans.
Peta Davies described the scheme as “inappropriate use of high quality agricultural land” and said it would be “very clearly visible from the road”.
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Elizabeth Morgan said: “The large installation of panels would be completely out of keeping with the very rural environment of our small village.”
She also raised concerns over flooding and poor drainage in the field earmarked for development.
Claire Teague asked: “Surely there are more suitable sites for a development than this?
“There are many brown field sites that should be used in preference to productive farm land. Food security is vital for the UK and projects such as this undermine this.
“The panels will be unsightly from the road and the local footpaths, detracting from the beautiful countryside that surrounds this site.”
