Solar Farm Plans Could Go Before Isle Of Wight Planning Committee

Plans relating to a major solar farm project near Thorley could be referred to the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee for a decision.

At her first appearance at Yarmouth Town Council since the May elections, Reform UK councillor Debbie Conlin said she had called-in proposals concerning the 42-hectare Barnfield Solar Farm site, off Wilmingham Lane.

A call-in means a planning application can be considered by councillors rather than decided by council officers.

The application, submitted by Low Carbon Solar Park 17, seeks to vary conditions attached to the original permission granted in September 2023.

The conditions relate to issues including surface water drainage, public footpath protection and noise impact.

The planning permission is due to expire on 8 September, unless work begins within three years.

The developer’s agent, DWD, said delays caused by grid connection issues outside the applicant’s control had prevented work from starting.

In a statement, DWD said:

“Due to significant grid delays associated with Barnfield Solar Farm, the applicant has not yet been in a position to proceed with any of the workstreams required to fully deliver it post-consent.

“This section 73 application is being submitted to make minor amendments to the planning permission and pre-commencement conditions in order to prevent Barnfield Solar Farm from expiring by installing the District Network Operator (DNO) substation foundations.

“Crucially, the amendment is not seeking to reduce, or water down, the details that the pre-commencement conditions require.”

The developer said the solar farm still has a grid offer and would make an important contribution to energy security, generating around 28 megawatts of electricity — enough to power more than 9,300 homes each year.

Former Isle of Wight councillor Peter Spink, who now sits on Yarmouth Town Council, said the outcome of Councillor Conlin’s call-in would determine whether the application is decided by a council officer or the planning committee.

Mr Spink previously objected to the proposals, arguing that the existing conditions were correctly imposed and should be followed.

Yarmouth Town Council has also raised concerns, saying the original conditions remain "relevant and reasonable".

A decision on whether the application will be called in by the planning committee is expected to be made through the council’s planning process.