PERMISSION has been granted for a large solar farm to be built on fields between the River Stour and Bournemouth Airport.
BCP Council has approved plans for the 66-hectare site off Parley Green Lane and to the south of the B3073 Parley Lane.
Once constructed, the farm is set to generate 45 megawatts of electricity, providing power to around 15,000 homes.
Developer Enviromena Project Management UK has permission to install rows of solar panels, with substations, inverters, perimeter stock fencing, access tracks, landscaping and other associated works.
The solar farm can remain at the site for a temporary period of 40 years, after which the fields will have to be restored back to full agricultural use.
BCP Planning officer Natasha McCann acknowledged the farm would cause ‘substantial harm’ to Green Belt land, but said the public benefits of the proposal are of 'sufficient magnitude' to outweigh this.
Ms McCann said in her officer report: “It is concluded that the proposed site would result in harm to the Green Belt from inappropriateness and loss of openness to which substantial weight is afforded.
“Furthermore, the proposal would also result in moderate harm to the landscape character and convey moderate visual harm to the area.
“Conversely, the proposal would deliver a renewable energy facility that would create up to 45MW of power.
"This would provide power for around 15,000 households, result in a carbon dioxide displacement of around 10,109 tonnes per annum and therefore help combat climate change.
“The benefits of renewable energy are substantial in favour of the proposal. These benefits are recognised in the Council’s local policies and guidance and national policy in accordance with the Climate Change Act of 2008.
“The delivery of suitable renewable energy projects is fundamental to facilitate the country’s transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate.”
BCP Council granted full planning permission to the scheme on June 18, after Ms McCann recommended it for approval.
Construction of the farm is expected to take place over approximately six months, according to Enviromena Project Management UK.
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