Solar Park debate

There is debate amongst a range of organisations about a giant proposed solar park by Pegasus Group near Combermere five miles to to the west of Audlem.

The massive proposal could cover 34 hectares, or about 80 acres, which is the equivalent of about 50 full-size football pitches and would hold about 98,000 solar panels.

In a letter to Pegasus, Principal Planning Officer for Cheshire East Council, Daniel Evans said: "The key test in this regard is not only about the size of the development but more fundamentally, the significance of the impacts of the proposal on the environment."

Planners warn that a solar park of this size could:

• Have a significant impact on visual amenity
• Be of an industrial appearance in a setting adjacent to historic park and gardens at Combermere Abbey
• Result in the potential loss of good agricultural land

Natural England, who have been consulted on the proposals, say solar park installations can co-exist with agriculture but they are concerned at the impact on the large wetland habitat at nearby Combermere.

Kathryn Kelsalls, for Natural England warns: "The site is the second most important mere in Cheshire for wintering wildfowl and supports one of the largest heronries in the county."

English Heritage says the scheme will not have a direct impact on the Grade I Listed Building at Combermere Abbey but it would like clarification on whether the proposed access and maintenance road will pass through the Grade II registered park and gardens.

"We would expect the submission to be followed by a heritage statement including an assessment of the impact of the development on all heritage assets and their setting," said Anna Boxer, of English Heritage.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a key aspect of many large scale planning applications. It means Cheshire East could refuse to consider a formal planning application until a detailed environmental statement has been submitted by the developer.

In recent years, a large number of cases have ended up in the UK courts and the European Court of Justice after disputes between local authorities and developers over the need for an EIA.

Pegasus has also asked Cheshire East Council to consider the need for an EIA for a further 17 Megawatt solar park on land off Whitchurch Road, Newhall.

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