A solar farm has been approved for land at a former airfield, despite transport and visual impact fears.
The decision means that the infield area of the former RAF High Ercall airfield can be turned into an 89.5-hectare solar farm covering 12 fields.
“A significant source of feedback was the potential impact of construction traffic,” said applicant Assured Asset Solar Ltd. In their transport statement the applicant predicted that during the construction period there would be 750 two-way lorry movements. Ercall Magna Parish Council supported the development subject to conditions that landscape and screening is in place prior to construction. The parish council has also received a community benefit grant of £50,000.
On approving the scheme the council’s planning officer said: “The applicants have sought to overcome these issues through the imposition of a thorough landscape mitigation plan and details required by condition through the CEMP and traffic marshalling scheme. West Mercia Police also commented on the planning application stating that solar farms have been subject to solar panels and the removal of cabling and infrastructure.