Solar farm decision a 'done deal', say villagers

Villagers have said they think a decision to build a solar farm on 185 acres (75 hectares) of countryside in Nottinghamshire is a "done deal".

Foxholes Solar Limited, which is part of SSE Renewables, is looking to build a solar farm on land near Norwell.

It will cover an area roughly the equivalent size of more than 100 football pitches.

The applicant says that, if constructed, the solar panels could generate clean, renewable energy for about 16,580 UK homes.

The proposal was due to be considered by Newark and Sherwood District Council at a planning meeting on Monday, however an error has put the decision back to 7 May.

A number of locals have said they are not hopeful that the plans will be rejected after councillor officers recommended the application for approval.

Mandy Montgomery, who walks her dog along a public bridleway near the site, said she felt the decision was a "done deal".

"I'm not against solar farms, but I'm sure there are other fields to the ones that are directly near the village," she said.

"My biggest concern is when they are constructing it, they may close the road, and it will be miles for a diversion," she added.

"It will be a massive safety issue on the narrow roads."

The solar farm is separate from another bigger project, known as the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park, submitted by Elements Green, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

This solar park would feature 1.5 million solar panels and would form a ring – roughly 6.2 miles from north to south – around the villages of Bathley, Caunton and Norwell.

Iain Gibson, who has lived in the village for 12 years, said he understands the need for solar and why the countryside around the village is being chosen, being close to the National Grid connection in Staythorpe.

He said: "I'm not opposed to solar, if you look at what is going on in the Middle East, we are in a quandary.

"It is very close to Norwell, then you have the Great North Road Solar Park, it is a bit of an overload.

"It would be good if they scaled it back and came to a compromise."

Gibson said it would take a "brave man" to bid against the solar farm being blocked.

The applicant said the lifespan of the development was 40 years.

Upon decommissioning, the panels will be removed and disposed of or recycled, and the land will be returned to its original condition.

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