Feldon Vale Solar Farm
Bishops Itchingdon
Client: Low Carbon
DLP successfully secured planning permission at appeal on behalf of Low Carbon for a 49.9MW solar farm and associated infrastructure on 82.5ha of land at Bishops Itchingdon, Stratford upon Avon.
The original application was refused by the LPA for having adverse landscape and visual impacts. Working in conjunction with Aspects Landscape and leading Counsel Thea Osmund-Smith, we submitted an appeal with minor “Wheatcroft” amendments to show additional boundary planting and the removal of a small number of solar panels. The appeal was heard by way of an informal hearing, with the Inspector finding moderate initial harm to landscape character and appearance, reducing over time to a limited impact. The positive impact of substantial biodiversity net gain and the generation of renewable energy was found to outweigh the landscape impact.
The Outcome
DLP coordinated the appeal submission and gave evidence on planning matters. Following the appeal decision, we also achieved planning consent of an alternative cable route. We have worked with Low Carbon on several other schemes across England.
