Burcot Solar Farm has secured planning consent after appealing a former decision
The Pegasus Group have received permission to develop the first grey belt solar farm in the UK, after planning system reforms.
The justification was given in accordance with paragraph 155 of the updated NPPF, regarding the definition of grey belt land.
The case was made to the LPA
Originally the Local Planning Authority refused to grant planning permission.
However, after the changes to the NPPF, the case was made that the plan now concurs with the latest Planning Practice Guidance, meaning the plan is no longer inappropriate for Green Belt land.
Paragraph 153 is also complied with now, meaning the development is not considered to impact the openness of the green belt or the purposes of including land within it. The issue of using best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land, mixing Grade 2 and 3a land, was also approved.
The case made by Pegasus showed favour should be with the NPPF, and that the written statement from 2015 should not be given attention, meaning evidence is not needed to allow solar farms on BMV agricultural land.
The LPA inspector agreed with the case, giving weight to the proposal’s contribution to meeting the government’s renewable energy targets.
The UK’s first grey belt solar farm is also the first to be allowed on appeal
In July, the first definition of grey belt land was given as: “Land in the green belt comprising Previously Developed Land and any other parcels and/or areas of Green Belt land that make a limited contribution to the five Green Belt purposes (as defined in para 140 of this Framework), but excluding those areas or assets of particular importance listed in footnote 7 of this Framework (other than land designated as Green Belt).”
This case may set a precedent for the new policy of the NPPF.
The grey belt solar farm will be located in South Oxfordshire, and is expected to contribute 49.9MW of renewable electricity to the national grid, equivalent to 19,000 average homes.
Nigel Cussen, senior planning director at Pegasus Group, said: “We’re delighted to see Ethical Power’s solar farm granted permission. The decision by the Inspector to designate the site as Grey Belt development provides much needed clarity in this area and will no doubt help inform future decisions and proposals. There is an urgent demand for the UK to increase its supply of renewable energy, particularly if we are expected to be meet Net Zero targets, and this project will go a long way in meeting this demand.”
