TNEI have secured planning permission for Solar Securities 11MW solar farm at Bobbing in Sittingbourne in Kent.
The approval was given by the Planning Inspectorate, following an appeal hearing and site visit in September.
Solar Securities appointed TNEI following a refusal of planning permission by Swale Borough Council.
The council said the proposal amounted to an inappropriate use of the ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land – Agricultural Grade 1, 2 and 3a – in conflict with the National Planning Policy Framework and national Planning Practice Guidance.
TNEI said it demonstrated that the site is less versatile for agriculture than the surrounding land due to several factors, including drainage and the flint content of the soil.
Taking account of this evidence, the Planning Inspector concluded that, while still officially ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land, the appeal site was of a poorer quality.
Image: sxc1
