A major application for a renewable energy park south of a large Isle of Wight village has been conditionally approved.
The Planning Committee tonight (Tuesday) voted to accept Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park’s revised plan for a solar power station to the south west of Wootton Bridge (22/01585/FUL).
Three councillors – Nick Stuart, Peter Spink and Caroline Gladwin – voted against, and Councillor Martin Oliver abstained.
Councillors Matthew Price, Debbie Andre, Geoff Brodie, Claire Critchison, Paul Fuller, Julie Jones-Evans and Chris Quirk backed the application.
IWC: Would make significant contribution to local renewable energy generation
County Hall’s committee report said,
“Officers concluded that the proposal would provide capacity for circa 18.5MW, which would make a significant contribution to the local renewable energy generation.
“This would result in moderate, positive economic and social benefits and significant environmental benefits, which would outweigh the minimal to moderate negative economic and environmental impacts, principally with respect to loss of agricultural land, visual change to the rural landscape (outside the National Landscape) and impacts on neighbouring residential amenity and archaeology.”
Benefits of the application
Sunny Oaks’ agent, rural property specialists, BCM, previously said,
“The clear narrative to move toward a low carbon economy and to mitigate and adapt to climate change must be given significant material weight.
“To secure renewable energy generation which is only dependant on the sun (and not fossil fuels or other countries) not only moves the UK to a low carbon economy which adapts to climate change, but also caters for positive social and economic benefits for generations to come by safeguarding essential renewable infrastructure which will support businesses, the economy and communities.”
Objections from residents
Prior to today’s meeting, the council received 32 letters of objection to the power station, raising a raft of concerns including environment and wildlife impacts, noise pollution, the loss of good agricultural land, and flooding, fire and public health risks.
A total of 23 comments were lodged supporting the plan, with a host of grounds including increased renewable energy generation for the Island, there being very little impact on the neighbourhood once the station is built, reduced dependency on fossil fuels and the scheme helping to reduce energy prices and fuel poverty.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
