Eager for suggestions after solar farm bid knockback

THE Glastonbury Clean Energy Project, being delivered by Avalon Community Energy (ACE), is looking at alternative sites for clean energy installations following the planning permission refusal of its solar farm on Porchestall Drove.

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The solar farm project was being fully funded by central Government as part of the Glastonbury Town Deal. It was expected to generate over £1 million for the Glastonbury community through ACE's Community Benefit Fund, but Somerset Council rejected the application on 2 October.

A statement from ACE said that despite planning rules requiring planning officers to apply a presumption in favour of renewable energy projects, the Somerset Council Planning Department rejected the application primarily on the basis of the visual impact of the solar farm.

ACE does not currently have the funds or available funding to appeal the planning decision, so it is now looking for alternative sites for the Town Deal project, which will not only produce a financial benefit for Glastonbury's community but also help Somerset meet its net zero 2030 target.