More than 100 objections to solar farm plan

VILLAGERS in Cromhall say the area is in danger of being overrun by solar farms.

British renewables developer RES is applying to put up 125 acres of solar panels at Varley Farm in Talbots End, potentially providing electricity for up to 10,000 homes.

It follows approval last year for another large solar farm near the village.

More than 100 objections have been lodged against the Varley Farm plan on South Gloucestershire’s planning website, with 14 people writing in support.

One resident said there were already eight large-scale solar farms with five miles of the proposed site.

Paul Sadley said in his online objection: "The closest is a site with approved planning permission for a 167 acre solar farm, 1km south of this proposed site.

“Material consideration needs to seriously be given to the cumulative effect and impact that this scheme would have when combined with the approved scheme in Wickwar.”

Cromhall Parish Council has also opposed the plan, saying it takes a huge area of land out of farming production, and would affect wildlife.

Objector Julie Cragg said the solar panels would be “an ugly encroachment on our rural landscape” and result in the destruction of wildlife habitats.

Developers RES say that after a public exhibition last summer, they made changes to the design to meet local concerns, including reducing the impact of construction traffic.

A spokesperson said: "A number of changes have been made to the design to ensure the solar farm fits sensitively into the existing landscape, whilst maximising the low-carbon, lowcost electricity generation.

"Changes made include siting infrastructure further away from residential properties, and increasing the hedgerow height in areas to reduce potential visibility."

RES says Varley Solar Farm would produce green electricity for nearly 10,000 homes and contribute £80,000 in business rates every year.

The company says the plan includes planting native trees and over 1km of new species-rich hedgerows, plus the installation of bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses, reptile hibernacula and invertebrate hotels.

Among the comments supporting the application, Isabel Flawn said: “Based on the location of the proposed solar farms, only a few houses will even be able to see the panels, compared to the many that can probably see, smell and hear the cows currently there.

"It's obvious that the benefits grossly outweigh any possible, small and temporary negatives.” The application can be viewed on the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council's website, by searching for reference number P22/07114/F.

A COUPLE from Coalpit Heath had an extra-special celebration on Valentine’s Day – marking 70 years of marriage.

Doreen and Brian Lealan were married on February 14 1953, and celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary surrounded by scores of family members spanning the generations.

They’ve even had an official congratulations card from King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and appeared on the BBC's Points West news programme.

Doreen, aged 88 and Brian, 91, met at a works dance when they both worked for industrial company William Butlers in Bristol.

They married at Holy Trinity Church in Kingswood, but had to change their wedding plans twice - first when Brian was called up for National Service and then when Brian was ill on the rearranged date of February 7.

The big day was postponed a week, only for a huge blizzard on the morning of the 14th to put it at risk again.

Doreen feared the wedding would be cancelled for a third time.

She said: “I thought everywhere and everyone will be snowed in. But thankfully the snowstorm passed, it stopped snowing and by the time we set off they had cleared the roads of the snow and it was OK.”

The wedding went ahead, but afterwards Brian had to return to the Army and Doreen returned to live with her parents in Bristol.

She said: “I was working, and obviously Brian was paid for his National Service so we were able to save up and look for a house.