By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Twin solar farm applications near Newark have been refused after the developers were accused of attempting a ‘ruse’ to get them passed.
The two developments would have covered a total of 145 hectares of adjoining farmland off Hockerton Road in Caunton.
However, residents and councillors believe they were essentially a single huge development which had been split in half for planning reasons.
Although the two sites were proposed separately by Knapthorpe Solar Limited and Muskham Solar Limited, both companies are registered to the same address and controlled by the same people.
Both farms would be capable of generating 49.9 MW – just below the 50MW limit which would require it to be determined by the Secretary of State for Energy instead.
The public galleries in Newark & Sherwood District Council’s planning committee were packed to hear the applications.
Ward Councillor Sue Saddington (Con) told the meeting: “It’s no coincidence that these have come on the same date from the same registered controllers.
“We’re supposed to be idiots and accept these are separate applications?” she said to applause from members of the public.
Planning officers said the applicants were legally entitled to submit the two projects separately.
Cllr Saddington also urged the council to get a firm policy “rather than ruin the countryside”, listing numerous Nottinghamshire solar farm applications in the works.
“We will be known as Electricity City the way we’re going,” she said.
“This is total greed and nothing else. The applications are unacceptable individually because of their size, and are certainly unacceptable together.”
Chair Councillor Andy Freeman (Lab) agreed the split proposal was “a ruse – a cute way to get to this committee.”
Signs saying ‘Say NO to the solar invasion’ were held by listeners throughout the meeting.
Councillor Dave Catanach (chair of South Muskham and Little Carlton Parish Council) told the committee: “This is one of the most troublesome applications we have ever had for what it portends in the future.
“It’s clear this is part of a much larger plan for solar farms in this area.”
He also criticised the applicants’ engagement with residents, saying he had never seen a single leaflet.
Both applications would have stood for a 40 year period, after which the land would be restored to farmland.
Cllr Freeman said: “We used to get 25 year solar farms, which was bad enough – 40 years is even worse.”
Committee members worried about the loss of good-quality farmland at a time of rising food prices and the massive visual impact.
After three hours of debate, the committee voted unanimously to reject the Knapton Lodge plans.
Eleven members voted against the Muskham Woods scheme, with two abstentions.
