Dorset gives thumbs up to solar farm plans near Axminster

Dorset Council has decided not to object to a proposed solar farm close to the West Dorset, near Axminster, despite some objections from the public.

Parts of the site, between Monkton Wyld and the hamlet of Blackpool Corner, are within 300 metres of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, according to a company document, and are likely to be seen from the A35 Bridport to Axminster road, the B3165 and the minor road between Blackpool Corner and Axminster.

The 19 MW ground-mounted installation with 35,000 panels, transformer stations, tracks, security fencing and CCTV camera could be in place for 40 years, if now approved by East Devon District Council.

It has been claimed by Anesco Ltd that the site would produce enough power for 5,150 homes.

The application is for a 69 acres over five fields south of Stammery Hill and New Park Coppice. Most of the site is described as a hill top plateau.

The application has attracted objections, including from the Devon Campaign to Protect Rural England and residents living in the area.

The group says in its objection: "The proposed solar farm would adjoin the existing Newlands solar farm which covers 30 acres. The total area of the two solar farms would be about 100 acres with about 57,000 solar panels."

It claims it will be visible over a wide area.

A Devon council document says there are mid-distance views to the site ranging from 900-1800m from locations to the southwest along Lyme Road to the south of Axminster and the western edge of Raymond's Hill.

The nearest statutory designation to the solar site is the Dorset AONB which is located approximately 0.3km east of the site.

Among the objections is a claim that extra traffic during the six-month construction phase would be unacceptable in the area, although others welcome the proposal saying that it will help cut greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative to fossil-fuel based energy.