PLANS for two solar farms on green fields near Keynsham have prompted objections from local residents.
The latest application, for a site at Burnett, has been made by Conrad Energy (Developments) II Limited to Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Another application – for a solar farm at Compton Dando – has been submitted to the council by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE)
The Burnett scheme concerns 70 acres of farmland at Middlepiece Lane. The site, to the south of Burnett Business Park, is in the green belt.
The developer says the solar farm would supply enough energy annually for about 5,700 homes. It would be decommissioned after 40 years and the site would be returned to agricultural use.
The ground-mounted solar panels would have a maximum height of about 2.6 metres.
Access to the development once operational would be via an existing field gate on the eastern site boundary on the lane that connects Gypsy Lane and Middlepiece Lane.
Conrad Energy (Developments) II Limited says there are no public rights of way within the site and that the risk of flooding is low.
Construction would take about nine months. The proposed construction site access would be from the B3116 from the north, extending through Keynsham then east on Gypsy Lane to reach the site, which is accessed via an existing agricultural track.
The developer said no HGV construction traffic would be routed through the Burnett.
It said it has amended its plans to address issues raised about drainage, construction traffic, wildlife and landscaping during a public consultation at the end of last year.
But 18 local residents had objected to the plans by the time this article was posted.
One said: “I object to this application on the basis that this land is for food growing.
“Instead of placing solar panels in fields, every new house built should have solar panels on the roof and existing houses should follow suit.”
Another commented: “Stop destroying our wildlife and farmland. This whole area is being systematically polluted with planning applications and it’s gone too far.”
Six commented in support of the scheme, with one say it was an “ideal site for much-needed renewable energy generation, especially if it can be dual use for sheep grazing.”
Meanwhile, Compton Dando residents have objected to a proposed solar farm on Fairy Hill.
The 12-acre farmland site is close to the village centre and nearby homes, and is also in the green belt.
Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) is being supported in its plans by Zero Carbon Compton (ZCC), described as an informal group that aims to support the community in supporting carbon emissions.
ZCC said it surveyed all the homes in the village and received 70% support for a solar farm at Fairy Hill.
But Compton Dando Parish Council said: “Having viewed the comments on the BANES portal, it is evident that the majority of residents of Compton Dando do not support this project.”
It said that, of the 91 villagers who responded, 70 objected, equating to 77%.
The council said: “Many of the support comments were from people who do not live in Compton Dando village.”
It added that, now that Redlynch Lane has been named as the HGV route, it has serious safety concerns because of the dangerous Redlynch Lane/ Charlton Road junction, as this junction is already part of an ongoing safety issue with BANES.
The council said it supported applications that contribute positively to tackling the Climate Emergency, but with the two solar farms at Marksbury and the one proposed in Burnett, this application would contribute to a feeling of being surrounded by solar farms.
One of the residents opposed to the scheme is John Dibble, who said objections have also been raised by walking groups, horse riders, anglers and wildlife photographers.
If the plan went ahead, Mr Dibble said that a natural habitat for a wide range of wildlife would be lost, and it would have significant adverse impact on views across the valley from footpaths, the BANES cycle route and nearby housing.
He said that villagers opposed to the plans were not against renewable energy but that the Fairy Hill site is a “totally inappropriate location for such an intrusive industrial development.”
He added that if the scheme were approved “it would be difficult to protect any area of Green Belt within BANES from similar development.”
Zero Carbon Compton said the solar farm would be shielded from view as much as possible and that its visual impact would be, at most, moderate.
“Supporting this small solar farm in our village, at no personal financial cost to villages, is surely a small price to pay for a fully reversible scheme which helps tackle climate change. “
*The deadline for comments on the Compton Dando scheme has passed. Comments on the Burnett plans can be made via B&NES Council’s planning portal until August 10. The planning reference is 24/02489/EFUL.
The proposed solar farm site in Compton Dando. The field concerned lies behind the telegraph pole in the photo above
