CHURCHOVER residents have celebrated after Rugby Borough Council (RBC) refused planning permission for another energy development near the village.
Councillors refused permission for Hive Energy to build a 60-acre solar energy park at School Farm next to the A5 – thanks to RBC Local Plan policies which prevent harm to heritage and conservation areas.
RBC Head of Growth and Investment Rob Back said in his report to the planning committee: “The proposed solar farm would have a detrimental impact on and cause substantial harm to heritage assets comprising Churchover Conservation Area and the Grade II-listed Holy Trinity Church in Churchover.”
He added the loss of agricultural land would also cause “a detrimental impact on the rural landscape”.
The co-ordinator of protest group Against Subsidised Windfarms Around Rugby (ASWAR) – which has opposed two large windfarms proposed for the area in the last six years, both of which were refused planning permission by RBC – welcomed the decision.
Lorne Smithsaid: “The community of Churchover is thankful to local councillors for giving us closure at last on the renewable energy siege from which we have suffered for six years.
“We have now won three major battles against two windfarms and a 60 acre solar park. This has forever established the importance of the historic conservation nature of this village, standing prominently at the centre of the surrounding open fields and dominating Warwickshire’s beauty spot of the upper Swift Valley.
“The councillors recognised any benefits of renewable energy did not outweigh the loss of good agricultural ground and the harm to landscape and heritage assets – and that the solar park contravened numerous local and national planning guidelines.”
Hive Energy had claimed the solar park could could power up to 3,600 homes and prevent 5,160 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The group could not be reached for comment when The Observer went to press.
