Solar farm approval is 'soul-destroying'

PLANS FOR THE LARGEST FACILITY IN COUNTY PASSED BY ED MILIBAND

- By EDDIE BISKNELL Local democracy reporter

PLANS to build Derbyshire's largest solar farm have been approved by Ed Miliband.

In a move described as "soul-destroying, sad and shortsighted" by a campaigning farmer and councillor, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change approved the £80 million, 140 megawatt Oaklands solar farm, which will cover more than 472 acres between Walton and Rosliston.

It would be capable of powering 35,000 homes per year almost the equivalent of every house in South Derbyshire.

The decision over BayWa r.e. UK's scheme rested with Mr Miliband due to the scale of the scheme being so large (in excess of 50 megawatts), leaving Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire County Council as mere consultees.

Both authorities opposed the scheme and had been given £50,000 by the applicants to hire their own experts to assess the plans.