Dorset Council’s refusal of planning consent for a 12MW solar site at Cruxton Farm in November 2022 has been upheld, despite a recommendation from a junior minister to grant planning consent.
The decision came after an appeal hearing last summer, during which the inspector recommended approval. However, this recommendation was overturned this week by Mr. Gove, acting on the advice of a junior minister who reviewed the case.
During the hearing, arguments were presented that while the site is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the proposed solar farm would have caused limited harm to the landscape due to its relatively small scale.
However, the Secretary of State ultimately decided that the impacts of the proposal had been underestimated, particularly in terms of the damage to panoramic views and the negative effects on the nearby Macmillan Trail.
If approved, the solar farm would have generated power for approximately 4,800 homes over a 40-year period, with the Maiden Newton electricity substation providing sufficient capacity for the project.
While the company behind the application, Enviromena, claimed support from most local people and Maiden Newton parish council, critics argued that the scheme would have been damaging to the wider landscape and detrimental to walkers on the Macmillan Trail.
Dorset councillor Sherry Jespersen expressed concern about the impact on the landscape and the Macmillan Way, highlighting the need to balance sustainable electricity generation with the protection of the AONB.
Despite claims by Enviromena that the project would result in a net gain for biodiversity through planting and landscaping, the Secretary of State’s office concluded that the harm to the AONB and the recreational benefits of the Macmillan Way outweighed the potential benefits of the solar farm.
The decision also highlighted the council’s lack of strategy, targets, or sites for renewable energy implementation, indicating the need for a more comprehensive approach in future planning efforts.