An application for planning permission for a four megawatt solar farm to be located on the Nottinghamshire green belt has been granted by Gedling Borough Council. The planning committee considering the application concluded that the solar farm would constitute "sustainable development" on the green belt.
The application was submitted by Earthworm Energy and planning consultancy Nathanial Lichfield & Partners (NLP). James Cox, senior planner at NLP, said, "Solar farms are not uncommon in the UK green belt and, despite the spate of recent adverse decisions, many previous developments have been allowed on the basis of their ‘very special circumstances’. The ‘very special circumstances’ test sets a high bar, but by working closely with the developers, the farm owners, and officers at Gedling Borough Council we were able to provide the necessary evidence to clear this hurdle.”
NLP argued that the development had economic and environmental benefits, and pointed out that because the development would be next to an existing development on the green belt, it would not add to urban sprawl. NLP also ensured that they provided an alternative site assessment to show that there were no other suitable sites.
Other factors that were taken into consideration include:
A spokesperson for Earthworm Energy said, "We are delighted that Gedling Borough Council planning committee has granted us planning permission for this project and thank them for maintaining an objective view on what represents an appropriate development within the green belt."
