RESIDENTS are celebrating after a controversial planning application is set to be investigated by Wychavon District council.
In the latest set of plans to be set to be revised, Wychavon District Council said that JBM Solar’s proposals are likely to have a drastic impact on the environment and have requested that they provide a full Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with their planning application.
The company are expected to present a new planning application in the late Autumn.
Members of Roundhill Wood Solar Farm Opposition Group have expressed concerns about JBM Solar’s proposals on 287acres (140 football pitches) being put forward on what they call ‘useful agricultural land’.
Phil Coathup, chair of the 100-strong group is determined to protect the land.
He said: “We are all committed to meeting our vital carbon reduction targets, and solar has a role to play – but not on productive farmland.
“Our county needs coordinated energy and food production policies.
“I am pleased that the council have reconsidered the effects the solar farm will have on the environment.
“But I know JBM Solar will be coming back with renewed proposals.”
Ciaran Power, head of development management for Wychavon District Council, said: “The applicant requested our opinion as to whether under Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2017 an Environmental Impact Assessment needed to be submitted with a planning application for the proposed development.
“We have informed the applicant because of the size and scale of the proposed development that it was likely there would be significant environmental impacts to be considered and so an EIA would be needed.
“The purpose of an EIA is to allow the environmental impacts of the proposed development to be fully understood when considering any planning application that may be submitted.
“Our decision that an EIA is required does not in any way indicate what the final decision will be in relation to any formal planning application regarding this site. When an application is submitted it will be considered on its merits against all the relevant policies and legislation and the EIA will help us to carry out that process.”
A spokesperson from JBM Solar said: “JBM Solar welcomes Wychavon District Council’s decision to request an EIA screening for Roundhill Solar Farm.
“This is a fairly standard part of the planning process on larger sites such as this and is something that we have anticipated as a possibility since the commencement of our discussions with the Council.
“We are keen to work with Wychavon District Council on this in order to ensure that the proposals that we bring forward deliver on the climate crisis, whilst also taking account of the local setting and environmental impact.”
