Plans for solar farm near Bromyard

Plans for a solar farm covering nearly 40 hectares of Herefordshire farmland have taken a step closer.

Lying between the hamlets of Acton Green and Acton Beauchamp southeast of Bromyard, Sinton’s End Solar Farm would cover two irregular parcels of farmland, and when complete would generate up to 20MW of power.

The scheme would include inverter and transformer stations and a substation for the grid connection, as well as 2.4m-high perimeter fencing.

Following preliminary application in late 2022 to ascertain whether a full environmental impact assessment would be required for its plan, on a slightly larger site, the firm was told that such an assessment would indeed be required.

But this was later overruled following an appeal to the then communities secretary Michael Gove.

Herefordshire Council received the current, full planning application (number 243282) just before Christmas but has only just published it.

The application explains that income from the solar farm “will make an important contribution to the continued viability of the farm holding, whilst allowing sheep to graze under the panels”.

Its visual impact is “anticipated to be temporary and reversible, albeit long-term” given the scheme’s planned 40-year lifespan, during which time the site would be “enhanced with landscape features such as trees and hedgerows”.

It adds the project “will be developed by RE Projects Development Ltd, an experienced developer of renewable and low-carbon energy projects in the UK”.

Comments on the application can be made until August 21.

A slightly smaller solar farm was recently approved at Stoke Edith east of Hereford despite strong local opposition.