Thursday 5 April 2012

Council says no to 'obtrusive' Loxwood solar panel

 

Council says no to 'obtrusive' Loxwood solar panel

PLANS for a series of solar panels at a property in Loxwood have been refused because they would be too obtrusive.

The inspector said: "The proposed array would beneficially generate electricity from a renewable source but it would also cause significant harm to the countryside and it is unclear why a similar benefit could not be achieved in a less conspicuous manner.

In his report he inspector said: "In such an exposed position, in countryside outside the area that has the appearance of the residential curtilage of Orchard Cottage, the proposed array would be a prominent and intrusive feature which would detract from the otherwise largely unspoilt appearance and predominantly rural character of the area, which comprises fields and woodland with only a scatter of dwellings.

But the planning inspector discounted people's views that the solar panels would not be detrimental to the countryside because no drawings or photographs of the panels and where they would be situated were included as part of the questionnaire.

Rejecting the appeal, he said the panels would result in unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Applicants asked users of the bridleway to give their opinions on the plan and had installed a post with a questionnaire.

The plan was originally refused by Chichester District Council last November and went to appeal, with the planning inspector siding with the council.

He also added that circumstances varied from site to site, and that each proposal needed to be considered on its own merits.

Council says no to 'obtrusive' Loxwood solar panel



Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 05/04/2012

 

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