Local community vow to fight Wandon End Solar Farm proposal.

Residents of North Hertfordshire have vowed to fight plans for a 106 Hectare Solar Farm on green belt land north east of Wandon End after an application was submitted on green belt land near Hitchin and Luton Airport.

The application was lodged by Evolution Power, who plan to develop a solar and energy storage project on land seven miles from Hitchin, near Luton at Wandon End in North Herts. 

However, local residents say the site covers an area of prime green belt and productive agricultural land close to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) between Breachwood Green, Darley Hall and Tea Green.

Speaking on behalf of the community group 'Residents against Wandon End Solar', Tony Cross says: "We're determined as a community to fight these plans which will be a blight on our landscape and will not add an discernable value to the villages and residents of Breachwood Green, Darley Hall and Tea Green," Mr Cross explains.

"We are working as a community to lodge our objections, which are based on guidance laid out in national planning policy and underpinned by legal precedent.

"To ensure everyone in the community has a chance to have their say, we're hosting drop in sessions at Breachwood Green Village Hall Saturday (February 11) between 11am-2pm and Monday (February 13) between 4-6pm. 

"We will be there to support people with their objections and if they need any IT support or advice."

Residents reasons for objections

Legislation under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states "inappropriate development should not be approved except in very special circumstances." A similar, smaller proposal for a solar development in the area was rejected in 2015 on the basis that 'very special circumstances' were not demonstrated – and opposition to the development, including residents, the Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) and the local parish council maintain that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that there has been any change in this circumstance.

In addition, several other applications for solar farms across the UK have been rejected on these grounds, setting a legal precedent that does not recognise solar farms as 'very special circumstance' to develop Green Belt Land.

The principle of openness under the Government's NPPF. The land is currently enjoyed by the local community for walking and wildlife spotting, due to the seven public rights of way that intersect the site.

Current plans for the Solar Farm would see the introduction of two-metre-high fencing, large scale solar panel and battery storage facilities and the associated infrastructure for maintenance – severely impacting the openness of the land.

In addition to objections on the grounds of openness, residents are concerned about the impact on the biodiversity of the area.

The area borders the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there is an existing application to add this part of North Hertfordshire to the AONB which has yet to be approved. Walkers are often able to spot deer, skylarks and Red Kites (which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

The land is also a prime agricultural resource – part of the land being used lies in the 3a and 3b category producing 20% yield per year. Grade 3a – which constitutes 'Best and Most Versatile' Land as defined by DEFRA. Given the current backdrop of rising food costs and disrupted supply chains from Europe, surrendering this land to renewable energy does not represent the best use of land.

Alongside legislative objections, residents are also concerned over evidence that questions the efficiency of solar power as a source of renewable energy, coupled with a lack of evidence over the long term impact to the soil (as the plan is to revert the land back to agricultural use after 40 years.) Solar panels operate at as low as 11% efficiency during winter months, and do not generate any power at night – a time when demands for power are at their peak in the UK. The proposal to return the land to farmland after 40 years is not based on previous examples of success elsewhere, leading most likely to a large 'brownfield' site on the land.

Objections to the proposal need to be registered by February 24, 2023 via the following link:-

Alternatively, email [email protected] quoting the planning reference 22/03231/FP