A developer whose bid for a solar farm the size of over 126 football pitches which Uttlesford councillors previously blocked has gone to the planning inspector for approval.

The 79 Hectare farm near Pelham Substation in Manuden, Uttlesford, would  provide enough energy to power over 16,500 homes and displace up to 11,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

An earlier version of the plans was refused by Uttlesford District Council in January 2022, with the planning committee saying it would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, as well as the countryside.

Now applicant Low Carbon Solar Park Limited has applied for permission to build the farm directly to the planning inspectorate, although its size has been reduced by roughly 10 per cent.

Acting as a consultee, planning committee members said at a meeting today (March 8) they felt little has changed.

Councillor Richard Pavitt (Uttlesford Independents, Littlebury, Chesterford & Wenden Lofts) said: "Uttlesford is already making a significant contribution to solar power. We’re way above every other local authority in the area and that’s simply because we’ve got substations that are handy.

"But at some point we’ve got to stop sacrificing our good quality agricultural land."

Councillors also raised concerns over cost and logistical uncertainties around the decommissioning of the farm. According to a report, it is set to have a life span of 40 years, after which the land will return to agricultural use.

However, some councillors and officers felt this is still too long to be considered a temporary scheme.

Additionally, the committee is arguing a Section 106 agreement, a legally binding agreement between developers and planning authorities, is needed to secure decommissioning, rather than just a planning condition.

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Committee chair Councillor Sandi Merifield (Residents for Uttlesford, Felsted and Stebbing) also questioned whether the farm would still be able to produce its promised 49.99MW of renewable energy if the number of panels had been reduced.

Councillor Janice Loughlin (Lib Dem and Green Alliance, Stort Valley) said: "I’m rather afraid that this huge solar farm combined with the others in the same area are going to have a very big impact and that is my concern."

Uttlesford District Council was designated last year, the equivalent of being placed in special measures. This means developers have the option of bypassing the council and applying straight to the government for permission for their schemes.

The planning committee will write a letter to the inspectorate objecting to the farm ahead of a hearing later this year.