Plans for solar farm on 108 acres of land

Plans for a new solar farm on 108 acres (44 hectares) of land is being proposed in Devon.

Exagen Development, which builds and operates renewable energy projects, is applying for planning permission from North Devon Council for farmland south of Buttercombe Lane, Braunton, after holding two public consultation events last year.

The farm is being proposed together with a sub-station, cabling, CCTV and fencing.

North Devon Council is due to decide on the planning application at a future date, but people have until 6 July to make representations.

A recent survey has revealed 40% of respondents opposed the development, with 13% in support and 47% undecided.

Concerns were raised around the scale of the project, visual impact, ecology and biodiversity impacts.

The applicant's planning documents stated it had made changes to the design and layout, including a larger buffer zone between the development and ancient woodland and other locally important sites.

It has also amended a cable route, reducing the need for hedgerow removal, and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

The cumulative effect of solar farms, of which there are four others in the area, was also highlighted as a concern.

The 15MW (megawatt) solar array would offset annual electricity usage of approximately 8,600 homes and save approximately 4,275 tonnes of CO2 per year, the applicants said.

The site is within 2km (1.2 miles) of four sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

The company's environmental statement has concluded the effects on protected areas would be "negligible and not significant" because of limited habitat changes and enhancement measures in the development.

Historic England said the application "successfully avoided causing harm" to the nearby Grade II* listed Ash Barton farmhouse and its estate as far as possible, through "buffer planting, undeveloped zones, bolstering of existing hedges, etc" and therefore it does not object.

Permanent lighting would not be required, but pole-mounted CCTV would be in place around the perimeter, the application said.

Construction was expected to take about six months, with up to 12 two-way HGV trips a day, but none on Sundays or bank holidays, it added.

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