Solar farm that will power 11,000 homes approved

A solar farm that will generate enough energy to power about 11,000 homes every year has been allowed after developers won an appeal.

Land to the east of Denchworth, Oxfordshire, will be used despite Vale of White Horse District Council turning the plan down in May 2024.

Renewable Connections Developments Limited appealed that decision with the Planning Inspectorate and the refusal was overturned earlier this month.

The company will now be able to use Manor Farm to build the 30MW site after planning inspector Steven Rennie said the "weight of beneficial considerations" meant it should go ahead.

The council said previously that the impact on views of the North Wessex Downs and Denchworth meant that it should not be allowed.

But the inspector said, while there will be an adverse impact on the area's character, planting and other landscaping around it will gradually soften its wider impact.

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