Mark Whitehead 29 March 2023

Council seeks legal advice after minister green lights solar farm

Council seeks legal advice after minister green lights solar farm   image
Image: Soonthorn Wongsaita/Shutterstock.com.

Telford & Wrekin Council is taking ‘urgent legal advice’ over the Government’s decision to allow a new solar farm to go-ahead despite local opposition.

The council had turned down proposals by Greentech Invest’s to set up panels in Telford saying it would harm an area of outstanding natural beauty and were later backed by a planning inspector.

But local government minister Lee Rowley said that while he agreed with some of the inspector's conclusions, the production of electricity brought economic benefits and the plans would cause ‘very limited harm’ to the area.

The local authority has six weeks to appeal the minister's decision in the High Court.

Council leader Shaun Davies, said: ‘This decision goes against the views of our communities, our planning officers, the planning committee and the Government's own planning inspector.

‘In his letter, the minister recognised that the proposal will harm the local landscape and that the site is clearly valued by local residents, yet he has still deemed the site suitable for development, even though he has never visited the site or heard first-hand all the evidence put forward at the planning committee or the inquiry.’

He added: ‘We are now taking urgent legal advice on what we can do to challenge the Government's decision.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£32,061.00 to £34,434.00, Grade 7.
We are looking for a Full-Time Children's Residential Worker to join our team at Clarence Children's Home in Wakefield Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Community Development Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Development Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Telecare Responder

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 to £31,022 per annum
Could you respond to emergency calls, gain access and administer first aid if necessary? Could you assist in the provision of an equitable Countywide Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, Mid Team

Essex County Council
£34902.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, Mid TeamPermanent, Full Time£34,902 to £50,081 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Service Manager

Wakefield Council
£69,037.00, Grade 15, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you have the experience, skills, and ambition to strengthen the education offer. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner