Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee has rejected a proposal for a major solar farm, despite the council’s ongoing commitment to addressing the climate emergency.
The proposed solar farm, spanning 28.2 hectares, would have generated enough electricity to power approximately 5,763 homes, boosting local renewable energy output by nearly 40%. However, residents of the nearby 22-home village of Burnett expressed strong opposition, describing the installation as an “industrial scale eyesore” that would mar the natural landscape.
John Leach, a planning committee member representing Walcot, defended the project, stating, “I don’t see it as an eyesore. Future generations may view this as an important step in confronting the environmental crisis.” He emphasized the necessity of maximizing renewable energy generation in line with the council’s declared climate emergency from 2019.
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Despite these arguments, local councillor Duncan Hounsell from Saltford urged caution, reminding the committee, “Solar is not a trump card.” He underscored that the impact on the green belt and landscape outweighed the benefits, noting, “The renewable energy target is aspirational, and not every application should be approved until it is met.” Hounsell also highlighted the exceptional scenic views from nearby Gypsy Lane.
Ultimately, the committee voted against granting planning permission, citing the development as inappropriate for the green belt, causing substantial harm to the landscape and adverse visual effects. Paul Crossley, another committee member, described the project as “far too large and impactful for this rural setting.”
Local voices echoed these concerns. Rosemary Turner, a Burnett resident, expressed worries about flooding and the loss of the village’s natural charm, saying, “Residents chose to live here for its beauty, and nobody wants to see this rural idyll destroyed.” Philippa Paget of Compton Dando Parish Council raised alarms about the cumulative industrialization effect from the rising number of solar farms in the area.
The land proposed for the solar farm is classified as grade four agricultural land, considered poor quality. The council, however, has recently approved a solar farm project on higher grade 3a land near Paulton, despite similar apprehensions.
The planned site, located south of Gypsy Lane between Burnett village and Burnett Business Park, would have included 18 hectares of solar panels, with the remainder allocated for infrastructure and biodiversity enhancements. The proposal promised a 54% increase in local biodiversity, exceeding the council’s 10% baseline requirement.
In addition to large-scale projects, Bath and North East Somerset Council is actively pursuing smaller renewable initiatives. The council aims to generate 12MW of power for its own usage and has already implemented 1.5MW of rooftop solar installations and heat pumps at care homes. The city’s unique natural hot springs provide sustainable heating to several historic sites, including the Roman Baths. Plans are also underway for a small hydroelectric power scheme near Pulteney Weir in Bath’s city center.
While renewable energy remains a priority, this decision reflects the delicate balance between environmental sustainability and preserving the region’s cherished rural landscapes.