Land at Leyhill Road, Bovingdon

Planning application no. 25/01535/MFA

Installation of 22MW Solar PV array and 10MW Battery energy storage system with associated infrastructure and landscaping

The proposed development site is in the Green Belt. Ground mounted solar installations are not locationally constrained as they require only direct sunlight and it is neither necessary nor appropriate to use designated protected land such as Green Belt for ground-mounted solar generation which entirely changes the character and quality of the open countryside. Another concern is the cumulative impact of recent residential and commercial developments at Grange Farm, Molyneux Avenue and Bovingdon Airfield. Adding a significant solar installation will further erode the rural character of this area of the Chilterns. We also note that the proposed development does not comply with the objectives of the Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan with respect to protecting green spaces, natural habitats and local amenity.

Solar energy generation should take place where agricultural land and protected landscape factors are not present, and we urge the Council to refuse permission for this application.

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