Anger over solar farm plans the size of ’12 football pitches’

Upset Ulley residents joined with campaigners from nearby Brampton-en-le-Morthen, Aston, Swallownest and Thurcroft to oppose plans for six 132-metre tall wind turbines on green belt land outside their village six years ago.

After the loss of that battle saw the creation of Penny Hill Wind Farm, developers Banks Renewables are now back with plans for a 5MW solar farm covering 60,000 square metres of green belt land lying adjacent to the giant turbines.

Mike Corden, former chairman of the Ulley Wind Farm Action Group, said: “This was the fear all along.

“Those wind turbines are essentially industrial-scale machines that were allowed in the green belt.

“Now that area of farm land looks set for further development. What’s next, industrial units?”

Residents in Ulley learned about Banks’ plans for a solar farm near their village when a flyer was distributed door-to-door last Wednesday.

Members of the public will be able to cast their eyes over the proposed development at an exhibition being held at Ulley Village Hall between 2pm and 7pm next Thursday.

Peter Hubbard, who opposed the development of the Penny Hill wind farm and lives close to the base of one of the giant turbines, said: “For most of us news of this exhibition is the first we have heard of it. I refuse to call it an exhibition, actually, it is the start of a consultation and people should be fully aware that they can have their say on these plans.”

Banks claim that their solar farm will create enough electricity to power 1,320 homes and development director Phil Dyke said: “We believe this is an excellent location for a scheme which would enable us to increase the amount of clean, green energy we produce at the Penny Hill site, and we hope as many people as possible will come along to our exhibition to find out more about what we’re proposing.”