Proposed Solar Farm Broad Lane, Bishampton

Parish Council Response to the Planning Application available here 

A Public Meeting was held on 9th November at 7:00pm over Zoom teleconferencing


PURPOSE

There has been significant concern raised over this application, which in the view of the Parish Council warrants opportunity for the community to raise and share  concerns  over this application.

Some of the concerns raised include:-

  • Size of Panels (larger than others locally)
  • Size and location of substation
  • Cumulative impact of multiple local solar farms
  • Lack of ongoing commitment of Aura Power (planned sale once established)
  • Actual degree of impact on habitat and environment
  • Run off from panels causing erosion and flood risk


If you are concerned please consider attending and if you feel strongly commenting on the Planning application.

Guidance on the application and commenting on applications are available here 

The anticipated planning application for a Solar Farm at Land North of Broad Lane to the east of Bishampton is in its consultation period.
The consultation period has been extended to  3rd December
The Applicants Aura Power have taken the trouble to make a public presentation with a Q&A opportunity which were publicised here and on our Facebook page.
This remains available link is here  [No longer available]

Despite this there remain issues of concern to the local community and we are seeking further clarification and details.  Aura have so far been co-operative in providing information.

The Parish Council have a voice with the Planning department - but if people are  concerned about the proposals - the most effective way to have them heard is to make individual comments on the application (support or objections) to the Wychavon Planning Department. 

If you do wish to comment (object or support) the planning application you will find addresses etc below. The following guidance may also be helpful.


COMMENTING ON THE PLANNING APPLICATION 

If you wish to comment/ object to the planning application you can use this link to take you straight to the Wychavon Planning site.


Please first take a look at the Aura Presentation, the application itself and then the guidance on the links below about making effective objections.


WHAT TO INCLUDE :-

There are rules surrounding what constitutes a “material objection”, the things the Planning Department can take into account - so to be effective any objections should address these. For example - loss of value of your property is not relevant to them - however things which bring this about e.g. loss of privacy, overlooking, loss of amenity, noise, disturbance, loss of habitat, increased flood risk ARE material considerations.


GUIDES

The Campaign for Rural England have plenty of useful information including this guide on responding to applications

And this link to an e-book by a lady with experience in making effective planning objections (please note this material is in copyright)



The main message is to make your objections clear, concise, factual and objective rather than emotional. If you can provide evidence or references to regulations and planning policy this is also extremely valuable. 


The Wychavon Planning site itself provides lots of information about planning regulations - and it may help to look at what factors have influenced previous decisions where applications have been declined.

Comments in your own words voicing your  own concerns are likely to the have the biggest impact.


1) You can object or comment in writing or on line
The address to write to is:-

Planning Services Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs. WR10 1PT


You need to quote the application reference 20/02071/FUL The Case officer is Mr Les Greenwood.

 

2) Electronically, you can simply e-mail your comment or objection to the planning department planning@wychavon.gov.uk quoting the application reference and making your comments either as text or by attaching an electronic document.


Or, there is an online form available on the website - I think this only has plain text but it works OK.


Original Public Consultation exercise by Aura Power

An online presentation/ consultation took place on the evening of 28th July 2020
Recognising that not everyone would have been able to attend the event on 28th July, Aura Power have very helpfully recorded the event and make it available for people to view in their own time.

The webinar video and slides are now available to view on the Aura Power website, together with a huge amount of additional information.  Access by following this link  Link to Aura Power Webinar [No longer available]

The slides are relatively large files due to the maps but should you wish to downloaded copies they are also available  Link to Aura Power slides [No longer available]
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