Plans for a large solar farm in Coven, Staffordshire, have been approved despite concerns about the loss of agricultural land. South Staffordshire Council granted permission for the 48-megawatt facility, which will be built on 143 acres (58 hectares) of land off Lawn Lane.
The proposal faced objections from Brewood and Coven Parish Council, which argued that there were no compelling reasons to install the solar farm on what they described as "good agricultural land." However, Anesco, the company behind the project, emphasized the urgent need for renewable energy in the area.
A report from the planning officer acknowledged that the solar farm would result in the loss of high-quality agricultural land for 40 years but noted the difficulty in finding a suitable brownfield site in the district. The report also mentioned that the land's agricultural yield had been low for the owners in recent years.
During the council's committee meeting, Jez McHale from Anesco argued that there were "very special circumstances" justifying the development, highlighting the critical need for renewable energy. Councillor Bob Cope, a member of the planning committee, expressed reluctance but ultimately agreed that it was unlikely a poorer quality site of the same size could be found.
The decision reflects the growing tension between the need for renewable energy and the preservation of agricultural land, a challenge faced by many communities as they balance environmental and economic priorities.