Stop Sadborow Solar

Comments on the revised proposals

  1. The revised proposals are on the same site and cover the same area as the previous proposal. See here
  2. The applicants have submitted new photographs to illustrate the visual impact of the solar farm. We do not feel they show the true impact on the landscape and views, and have commissioned our own.
  3. They say they have taken account of the recently adopted West Dorset Local Plan. They make much of a statement that "there will be a presumption in favour of sustainable development." But much less of statements that "The plan area’s exceptional landscapes and seascapes and geological interest will be protected. ... Development that significantly adversely affects the character or visual quality of the local landscape or seascape will not be permitted."
  4. They accept that "the change brought about by the proposed solar park would change the view, and to some degree the perception of the wider landscape character, and this would likely appear adverse in nature for many viewers." But then argue this is mitigated by such factors as "conifer plantations, fragmented hedgerows, geometric edged game coverts, pylons and large farm buildings." In our opinion, those factors are long-standing and accepted, and do not justify despoiling the landscape with a prominent and ugly solar farm.
  5. The analysis of the impact on 10 selected viewpoints is very debatable. It assesses some of the impacts on the Wessex Ridgeway Trail as "Major and Significant" in Year 1 and "Moderate and Significant" in Year 10 when some of the planted hedgerows are assumed to have matured. But those who came on the community walk in November will be astonished to read that the impact on the view from Hawkmoor Cross is assessed as "Moderate/Minor and Not Significant" even in Year 1.
  6. They are still resisting doing a bat survey.
  7. They have amended the traffic plans, so that deliveries to the site during construction will be limited to between 9am and 3pm. But this will still mean large vehicles navigating the tight turn at Birdsmoorgate, and then travelling along the narrow lane to the entrance to the site.

In summary, we feel the proposals still represent a blight on beautiful and unspoilt countryside, and we will be maintaining our opposition.

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