Tabley Hill Solar Farm is the first major solar application in the county. It covers 70 acres of fully farmed best arable land close to Knutsford. On Monday night both Knutsford Town Council and Tabley Parish Council voted to oppose Aukera’s application on the grounds that it is against Cheshire East Policy which states that “Proposals should avoid the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land in line with Policy RUR 5 ‘Best and most versatile agricultural land’. “The only alternative sites which Aukera the developers have considered are also the best agricultural land. If Tabley Hill Solar is approved it will be a precedent for all the county’s supply of productive land to be covered with solar panels.
The application form states that the developers own the land. This is incorrect. It also states that “A pre-application meeting was held with Laura Hayes – Principal Planning Officer CEC, Richard Chamberlain – PROW Officer, Emma Fairhurst – Principal Built Heritage Officer CEC. A written response was provided, including assessment on the principle of development, use of agricultural land etc. This advice from the Council to the Developer has not been made public.
The public have only 28 days to comment on the 1600 pages of the application. These contain numerous statements that are incorrect, including that the site will be returned to its former use after 40 years. The truth is that it will be left as “grey belt” in the green belt, the very land that is now prioritised for housing developments.
Knutsford Solar Action is calling on Cheshire East to publish their advice letter and on ALL Cheshire East Residents to oppose the planning application 26/2834/FUL on the Cheshire East Planning website by 15 October on the grounds that it is against Cheshire East’s own policy.
