Two councils, two different stories that highlight the problems with large-scale solar farms in the UK and planning.

Plans for a 30MW 65,000 panel council-backed solar farm in Coventry have been rejected after opposition from residents, whilst in Shropshire a major installation has received approval despite initial objections from Shropshire Council.

Coventry City Council proposed the solar farm that was then recommended for approval by planning officers, but the planning committee had other ideas and voted against citing the proximity to homes and farms. The council may appeal to the government.

Meanwhile, a 22MW solar farm, the size of 33 football pitches and to be built by Vattenfall, has received approval in Shropshire despite initial objections from Shropshire Council. The approval at a site near Telford was granted by a government planning inspector, pointed to the benefits as outweighing the issues. Here, the council cited the impact of the panels on farmland.

The two contrasting cases serve to highlight the problems and lack of clarity as the UK attempts to balance the needs of net-zero with concerns over the countryside and agriculture.

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