Solar farm approved in Cambs village despite concerns of ‘blot on landscape’

The solar farm would operate to ‘meet local power demand’

Plans for a new solar farm in a Cambridgeshire village have been approved – despite concerns from residents calling it a “blot on the landscape”. FRV Powertek Ltd proposed to build the solar farm on land at Malice Farm, South Of French Drove and east and west of Scolding Drove in Thorney.

These plans have been approved by Peterborough City Council, with the site set to export 49.9 megawatts of power.. The applicant said the solar farm would “operate to meet local power demand”.

They also said it would also act as a “fall back energy source at times when sources of renewable energy and the grid are reduced or do not generate sufficient electricity to meet demand”.

It will be made up of 100,000 photovoltaic panels set out in rows, and the panels will have a maximum height of 3m above ground level. As part of the plans, a new bridge will also be constructed across New South Eau Drain.

This will provide vehicle access during construction and operation of the solar farm. The applicant plans to retain existing vegetation, including 436 trees and 33,680 sqm of shrubs in order to hide the development.

The solar farm is proposed to be “temporary” and remain in place for 40 years. After this time, it will be decommissioned and the land will be restored.

Despite the approval, there were some residents that shared objections to the plans. One objector at Willow Tree Cottage in Spalding was concerned about the loss of open countryside.

They said: “To build a solar farm there would not only be a blot on the landscape, ruining the beautiful scenery and views across the fields, but it would also be taking high quality fertile farmland out [and] food production for the next 40 years. There would also be massive disruption for people who live and work around that area.”

Another resident in Gedney Hill, Spalding, said it would result in “further significant loss of countryside land to a man-made problem”. They added: “Too much is being taken from wildlife for a huge time and not being given back in this area.

“The area is being targeted and would result in a huge loss for a vast period of time. 40 years is not a perceived temporary solution considering what it will do for the area.”