Council approves plans for 5,000 panel solar farm
A plan to build a 5,000-panel solar farm near Hayle has been approved, despite concerns about flooding.
A Cornwall Council planning committee agreed to allow the facility, on 3.75 acres (1.5 hectares) of land next to the A30 off Loggans Road, at the entrance to the town.
The application was approved with six in favour, four against and no abstentions.
It comes after the council had refused a much larger solar farm application 3 miles (4.8km) away in Gwinear.
S2W Property 103 Ltd had applied to build the solar farm, with battery storage, access, landscaping and other infrastructure.
Although recommended for approval by the council’s planning department, the area’s councillor Lionel Pascoe brought it before a strategic planning committee meeting – with concerns from Hayle Town Council around flooding.
The plan for the farm is for the renewable electricity generated to primarily supply the nearby St Ives Bay Holiday Park using an underground cable.
The development would be operational for 40 years.
‘Rich in biodiversity’
As well as objections from Hayle Town Council, neighbouring St Erth Parish Council was also against the proposal.
It stated: “Whilst the parish council supports the use of solar power it does so through the use of roofs, particularly in industrial locations, or alternative brownfield land locations.
“This site is located next to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), is on a floodplain, is rich in biodiversity and will have a negative impact on wildlife in the area.”
A number of residents also raised concerns about flooding and the loss of land abundant with wildlife.
At the meeting, Mr Pascoe said he feared the solar panels would exacerbate any future flooding.
Councillor Peter Guest said he was unconvinced by a glint and glare assessment of the site and said he could not back it.
However, councillor Peter Perry said: “I cannot see a justification for turning our backs on this.
“I appreciate it won’t please everybody, but quite frankly this is a through road. I do not think that the impact of this is that adverse.”
