AN ENERGY investment firm has taken the first steps in plans for a 92-acre solar park at Sandon Quarry.
BlueField Energy is the latest to target rural Essex for a commercial scale solar park with preliminary enquiries made to Chelmsford City Council for rows of up to 66,000 panels at the site.
The London firm join three other developers who have submitted proposals in the surrounding area, which would result in around 300,000 panels across mid-Essex if approved.
"We have certainly seen a gigantic leap forward with these big applications for solar farms," said leader of Chelmsford council Roy Whitehead.
"Clearly the attitude of central government is in favour but this can conflict with protecting the green belt which is the problem all authorities are having.
"Residents are coming up to us and asking how this is happening."
Developers who have identified the plot at Mayes Lane, Sandon – the latest in a total of eight applications across mid-Essex this year – have been told an environmental impact report will now be necessary after a number of historical discoveries nearby.
Second World War defences, Mesolithic flints and Bronze Age pottery shards have all been uncovered on the land, which also includes the Grade II listed Sandon Hall.
Museums manager Nick Wickenden said: "Over the years there has been a smattering of historical material found there such as some of the tools which were used during the Mesolithic period, which date back to 4000 BC."
"For that reason there is interest in the site and so we would want to look into things further."
The newest proposal follows a series of controversial suggestions for large-scale solar farms from developers, some of which have deeply angered the residents they would impact upon.
Lightsource Renewable Energy, the UK's leading solar energy generator, has been responsible for half these applications in 2013 but deny targeting the area.
"The big determining factor for us is a viable grid connection in order for our solar farm to export its electricity back into the network," said Liza Gray, on behalf of the company.
"Unfortunately the electricity distribution network is really old and aged; therefore you will find that where there is a viable connection or a feasibility upgrade cost, this will be sought after by renewable energy developers, not just solar farm developers.
"However, Essex is not really more popular than other regions, we have submitted three sites in Essex for planning thus far when compared with 15 sites in Devon over the last 18 months."
The company, which has offices in Bath, Belfast and London, has recently been forced to withdraw one application for a farm at Little Braxted after being met with fierce opposition from residents. It would have supplied power for 3,600 homes.
The rejection by Maldon District Council of an application for the 90-acre site had been appealed earlier this year but three weeks ago it was quietly withdrawn by the company.
"I'm very happy, everybody is and it was definitely the right decision," said Wickham Bishops resident Lorna Setter who had spearheaded the campaign against the Little Braxted submission.
"I don't have anything against solar farms but where they were proposing is surrounded by listed buildings and the Whet Mead nature reserve. Little Braxted is a tiny parish and the farm was far too big – the visual impact would have been horrendous."
Despite this setback the firm continues to pursue applications in Great Totham, Bicknacre and Little Easton, which if all approved, would produce enough power for around 9,000 homes.
Maldon district councillor Frank Delderfield, who represents the ward of Great Totham, said: "The government is in favour of renewable energy but I understand the concerns of the people. It's more of a solar power station, calling it a farm gives a false impression.
"It's a question of scale and some of the applications are clearly unsuitable but every case must be judged on its own merit. In the right place it can work, but in a picturesque place such as Maldon it might be less appropriate."
The newest application just outside Chelmsford also comes on the heels of approval given to a £20 million solar project at Highfield's Farm, Kelvedon.
Both Braintree and Colchester district councils have given the go-ahead to the plans from Hive Energy Ltd for a 74-acre plot to be covered with around 60,000 panels – although the project is still not without its fair share of controversy.
"I understand the need for power, but I do have an issue with paving over agricultural land for solar panels, we need the land for other things too," said ward councillor for Kelvedon Robert Mitchell.
