Councillors in Bath and North East Somerset have approved plans for a small but contentious solar farm near the Bath Skyline trail, sparking a fierce debate between renewable energy advocates and local residents.
Retired professor Dr Alyson Warhurst submitted a planning application to install 320 solar panels at her Grade II listed home, Rainbow Wood House. The proposed array would generate approximately 120% of the home’s electricity needs, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. However, many neighbours expressed concerns about the scale and location of the project, arguing it was unsuitable for the area’s scenic and historic character.
Despite receiving 185 objections, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the scheme. Fiona Gourley, a Liberal Democrat councillor, acknowledged the community’s worries but emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis: “We need to reduce our fossil fuel dependence, so I support this project, though I understand neighbours’ concerns.”
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The opposition had organized through a professional-looking website, www.savebathskyline.com, stressing that their protest was not against solar energy per se, but rather the size and siting of this particular project. Sasha Berezina, representing the objectors, described the location near Widcombe Hill as “one of the most sensitive areas in the city," cautioning that renewable energy projects must be carefully considered and appropriately scaled.
Dr Warhurst countered by highlighting the environmental benefits, noting the panels would be discreetly screened and expected to save over 30 tonnes of carbon annually—equivalent to the carbon absorption of 1,400 mature broadleaf trees or roughly 35 acres of forest. She criticized anonymous campaigns that, in her view, spread misinformation and unfairly influenced public perception through cut-and-paste objections.
Council planning officers recommended approval, acknowledging the site’s green belt status and concerns about the panels’ industrial appearance, but concluding that the climate benefits justified moving forward. Councillor Toby Simon voiced support, stating the project’s minimal impact on the protected area outweighed potential drawbacks.
Rather than immediately granting full approval, councillors delegated authority to council officers to finalize permission. This approach allows for public input on ecological conditions governing the development, ensuring community concerns are addressed before construction begins.