COUNTRYSIDE campaigners are calling for the government to strengthen planning policy to block the building of a giant solar farm on South Dorset MP Richard Drax’s estate.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is calling for policy changes that would stop a 28 megawatt solar farm from being built at Mapperton Farm on the Charborough Estate off the A31 near Almer.

In a report released today, the CPRE warns that the 174 acre farm, which is the size of 110 football pitches, would ‘industrialise’ the Dorset landscape.

It says the government should review the impact of development threats and recommend policy changes.

Mapperton Farm solar farm is highlighted as one of 20 developments across the country which are ‘threatening the landscape’ according to the the report ‘England’s disappearing landscapes’.

It describes planning policy for renewable and low carbon energy in national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as ‘disappointingly weak’.

Shaun Spiers, CPRE Chief Executive said: “On paper, designated landscapes have the highest level of protection in planning policy. But as our report today shows, there is growing pressure to approve disastrous development.

“It is just far too easy for developers to get their way at fatal cost to our precious landscapes.

“Our report provides further clear evidence that the current planning framework is not nearly as robust as it needs to be.”

The report says there are ‘increasing concerns’ about the impact of increased levels of large scale solar energy development which are occurring in the countryside.

It says that while government guidance says there is a need for more green energy, this does not mean that the need for renewable energy should ‘automatically’ override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities.

The report also calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the pressures facing the countryside.

Councillors ware set to discuss the application for Mapperton Farm at a the meeting of East Dorset District Council on November 11.

Spokesman says ‘urgent’ need for energy

A SPOKESMAN from electricity supplier Good Energy, which has submitted the application, said: “We have not seen the CPRE report but we will look at its findings and are open to ideas about how we might incorporate further improvements to the Mapperton solar Farm site.

“What we can say is that this site is well screened, we have proposed a planting scheme which will further enhance existing hedgerows with indigenous species, which will provide further screening.

“This site has been specifically designed to allow for sheep to be grazed and we are working with ecologists to provide habitat enhancements.

“The land will remain in productive agricultural use in addition to generating clean, renewable electricity for almost 7,000 homes.

“It is important to remember that this application is for a temporary change of use and is entirely reversible.

“It is not in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“But there is no escaping the urgency of the need to have a diverse mix of energy generation in the UK to meet our needs.”