Solar farm given go-ahead near Ilminster (From This is The West Country)

Solar farm given go-ahead near Ilminster

7:00pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News

PROPOSALS to create one of the largest solar panel farms in the country have been given the go-ahead near Ilminster.

Solar Century were last week given permission by South Somerset District Council to proceed with transforming the 50-acre Parsonage Barn site in Stocklinch Road, Whitelackington, part of the Dillington Estate, alongside the A303.

The site already has 3,000 solar panels, but councillors have agreed for that number to grow to 31,200s.

The applicants initially wanted 40,800 panels, but amended their proposals after a wave of opposition from people worried that the project could have an adverse impact on wildlife and the landscape.

Campaigner Clare Hart said she had no problem with sustainable energy, but felt the panels should be on brown field sites rather than in the countryside.

The applicants have said there will be “no adverse impact” on properties and the development will benefit the local economy by “further diversifying a large agricultural estate which plays a significant role in the area.”

Council leader Cllr Ric Pallister said the Area West committee had to stick to Government guidelines when considering the application and that had they opposed it the decision would have been overturned on appeal.