No decision on controversial solar farm
12:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News
By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer
Cornwall Council failed to make a decision this week on a controversial new solar park planned for Halvasso near Mabe.
The application, for 11,500 solar panels over 12 fields, had been recommended for approval but Mabe and Stithians parish councils both opposed it alongside 51 other objectors who wrote to the council.
At a meeting of the strategic planning committee on Thursday, the three options of deferral, rejection and approval were all voted down.
Frustrated objector Graeme Newton said: “After a long debate a decision was not reached and the whole process will be repeated next month.
“The objectors did help persuade the members to agree to a condition that the cameras would either not be used or placed below Cornish hedge level, that chemicals would not be used and that a few other improvements were incorporated.”
The planning officer in the case is now due to resubmit his report in time for the next meeting of the committee, on April 23 “We need to trawl local planning regulations looking for cracks,” Graeme said.
