EIA Required for Ashcombe Estate Solar PV Farm

Teignbridge District Council have now made their decision on Solar Power Generation's request for a screening opinion concerning a proposed 14 MW solar farm on land at the Ashcombe Estate in the Haldon Hills.  Unlike other recent requests for such opinions, in this case Teignbridge have decided that an Environmental Impact Assessment WILL be required.  They state their reasons for that decision as follows:

The development falls within Schedule 2 of the EIA regulations and is likely to have significant effects on a ‘sensitive area’ (please refer to the attached EIA analysis proforma for more details), namely Great Haldon and Little Haldon Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Chudleigh Caves and Woods Special Area of Conservation (which is a component of the wider South Hams Special Area of Conservation)

It is likely to have significant effects on, but may not be limited to, important bird species associated with the Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Greater Horseshoe Bats associated with the Special Area of Conservation.

Those areas of concern were raised by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, whose views on solar farms in general can be viewed on their web site, where they say that:

On roofs and 'brown field' sites solar panels are a wildlife-friendly way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and we fully support their use.

Large-scale solar 'farms' are a potential concern in sensitive locations, as they could cause reduce the suitability of habitats for key species. However, with careful planning and project development such impacts can be avoided. There may also be good opportunities to manage the site to improve conditions for wildlife.

Note that on the section of their web site devoted to UK energy policy, the RSPB also say that:

In 2008, the UK passed its Climate Change Act and became the first country in the world with a legal duty to meet an annual carbon budget.

These landmark laws were achieved largely thanks to the tireless campaigning efforts of Stop Climate Chaos – a coalition of more than 100 organisation including the RSPB, Women's Institute, WWF, UNISON, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam and Christian Aid.

We're campaigning for strong, UK-wide action to stop energy waste and use energy more efficiently, and we're calling for a revolution in the way the UK generates its power.