Government approves controversial solar farm in Miliband’s constituency
Ed Miliband’s energy department has approved a giant new solar farm to be built in his own constituency, despite fierce opposition from locals to the scheme.
Solar company Boom Power has been given the green light to cover 1,300 acres of prime farmland and countryside in South Yorkshire, equivalent to about 650 football pitches, with arrays of solar panels and batteries.
The approval comes despite dozens of objections to the Fenwick scheme, with critics having claimed it would industrialise a tranquil part of the countryside. They have warned that it will turn local voters against Mr Miliband.
The decision was taken by Mr Miliband’s junior minister, Lord Alan Whitehead, who is a renowned enthusiast for solar.
While such approvals would normally be signed off by the Energy Secretary, Mr Miliband did not personally give the green light to the development as it is in his own constituency.
Mr Miliband has previously approved a series of major developments as part of his net zero drive.
The Fenwick approval follows previous concerns over the development, with the Planning Inspectorate having received dozens of objections from locals.
One of those, Janet Raynor, described how the development pitted landowners set to benefit against other residents whose outlook would be destroyed.
She wrote: “This plan has divided the residents, setting family against family, friend against friend and neighbour against neighbour. It has ruined any community spirit which existed in Fenwick village.”
Another, Mark Henstock, wrote: “The land in question is high-quality farmland, essential for local food production and employment. Given current concerns over food security and rural economic resilience, the permanent removal of this land from agricultural use is unacceptable.”
A third, Chris Teal, said the solar plant would undermine property values. “House prices will decrease dramatically during and after the proposed site thus seriously damaging people’s retirement plans and futures.”
The Planning Inspectorate said it had listened to objections from local people, giving “full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination”.
Supporters had argued it would boost clean energy production. Boom Power is thought to have chosen the area because of its proximity to a substation at the nearby Thorpe Marsh Power station, enabling easy connection to the transmission grid.
Boom Power is based in Arundel, West Sussex, with half its shares belonging to director Mark Hogan.
Another 37.5pc of shares are controlled by Pelion New Energy, a Munich based investment company. The remaining 12.5pc are controlled by W Power GmBH, a German solar and battery storage investor.
Boom Power is expected to apply for Contracts for Difference, the scheme which guarantees low carbon energy generators with a minimum price for their power, underwritten by levies on consumer bills.
Mr Hogan said the solar farm would benefit wildlife, local landowners and his investors.
He said: “This project reflects years of detailed technical work, collaboration and engagement … and demonstrates the strength of our in-house development capability, alongside the strong and ongoing relationships we have with our partners and landowners, which are incredibly important to me.”
However, Rosie Pearson, chair of the Community Planning Alliance, said countryside dwellers were paying too high a price.
“While climate change must be addressed, it must not come at the expense of our beloved historic landscapes, the food they produce and the people and wildlife that live there.
“This Government seems hell-bent on destroying everything that is so special and important about the British countryside, with a crazed industrialisation programme.”