Solar farm plans temporarily withdrawn

Jersey Electricity (JE) has temporarily withdrawn a planning application for a solar farm on the island.

The company had applied to put 10,000 panels across eight fields in Champs Verts, St Mary.

It said it needed more time to reply to comments made by one of the people who was consulted about the scheme.

It said it intended to resubmit an application in due course.

Save This View, a campaign group against the solar farm, said it welcomed the announcement of the withdrawal.

The group said the withdrawal coincided with a cabinet office report, published on Tuesday, which called Jersey Electricity’s analysis of potential solar farm sites “flawed”.

The report concluded that while the principle form of development and location were supported by the plan (subject to assessment of the environmental impact), the “use of open countryside to host a renewable energy generating station has not, however, been clearly justified”.

William Layzell, who started the group, said: “It reflects our concern, and that of the many objectors to this plan, that Jersey Electricity is taking the easy option of covering high-grade agricultural fields, rather than targeting brownfield sites.

“We are asking the simple question ‘what price is the countryside’ and the cabinet office appears to be asking it too.”

JE said it remained “committed to providing local, diversified and fairly priced electricity supply for customers.”

It said: “This proposed solar farm at Champs Vert will provide a meaningful contribution to Jersey’s energy sovereignty and help to diversify the island’s energy supply, in line with several government policies, while also providing the opportunity for the Island’s farming community to develop new, diverse and innovative farming methods.”

Jersey Electricity has been approached for further comment about the planning report.