Solar farm plan can move forward
An approved solar farm in Rutland can move forward after councillors agreed a request to re-route a footpath that runs through the site.
Applicants Scottish Power Renewables and Ranksborough Solar Limited were given permission in 2022 to build the solar park in open countryside to the west of Langham, but had been held back after the planning inspectorate refused its application in May to create a new bridleway across the site almost 2,000 metres long.
At a planning meeting on Tuesday (September 17), the applicant’s subsequent request to divert the existing footpath was approved.
Speaking at the meeting held at the council’s offices in Catmose House, Oakham, highways asset officer Stuart Crook said: “The reason for the application having taken some five years to come forward is that there was an undetermined application for bridal way rights - that took some considerable time to get through the plan inspectorate. It has now since been determined and was rejected and so it remains a footpath.
“The proposal takes a crossfield footpath and diverts it around the various elements of the solar park. The route is somewhat less direct, admittedly. While I have seen arguments that longer paths are less desirable, I’ve also seen arguments that shorter paths are less desirable. It all depends on the purpose."
He said those walking for leisure may prefer a longer route and did not see any significant negative factors in the proposal.
The diverted footpath path, which will be paid for by the applicants, will be wider and include an all weather surface. When asked whether he was happy with the issue that the highways authority would be responsible for maintenance, he said the path would most likely outlast anyone present at the meeting.
The new farm on the 51 hectare site is proposed to power more than 8,000 homes. It is one of several planned for the county. The government controversially used national powers to approve the Mallard Pass Solar Farm near Essendine, shortly after it was elected in July.
Locals campaigning against the solar park, which will be four times the size of Ranksborough - have decided not to take the decision to a judicial review.