‘Ludicrous’ solar farm application thrown out

LANS for a controversial solar farm in a “stunning” section of Northumberland countryside have been thrown out by councillors.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local Democracy Reporter

‘An application to erect more than 90,000 solar panels near the village of Whittonstall was refused planning permission after a decision had been delayed earlier this year.

The 110-hectare development, known as the Highfield Energy Park, had been earmarked for approval by county council planners despite more than 140 public objections.

But members of the authority's planning committee rejected the scheme at a hearing in Morpeth, due to the impact it would have on the picturesque location.

Renewable energy firm Exagen recently won approval for a major solar park across 30 fields between nearby Greenside, Coalburns, and Chopwell, over the border in rural Gateshead.

Local resident Adam Brown, speaking against the Whittonstall plans at Tuesday's meeting, said the combined impact of the two potential developments would be “overwhelming”

He called the proposal, located between two wind farms, “ludicrous” and claimed that there would not be sufficient access to the site for emergency services in case of a fire.