Island solar farm plan given green light

Plans for a large-scale solar power station near an island village have been approved with conditions.

The application for a facility southwest of Wootton Bridge divided members of the Isle of Wight Council's planning committee on Tuesday.

Three councillors voted against Sunny Oaks Renewable Energy Park's revised plans, citing concerns about the site's proximity to a 40-acre stretch of ancient woodland.

But others said renewable energy stations were needed to tackle the climate crisis.

Opposing councillors included the Liberal Democrats' Nick Stuart, Peter Spink of the Empowering Islanders group and Caroline Gladwin from Reform UK.

Conservative representative for Mountjoy and Shide, Martin Oliver, abstained.

Mr Stuart said he could not support the proposal with its current 25m (82ft) buffer zone between the application site and Fattingpark Copse, arguing it should be 50m (164ft).

Ms Gladwin expressed concerns over flooding and fire risks, and what the development could mean for wildlife species.

The seven members backing the plans were Matthew Price, Debbie Andre, Geoff Brodie, Claire Critchison, Paul Fuller, Julie Jones-Evans and Chris Quirk.

Mr Quirk said: "As a council we voted to accept we had a climate crisis and that we were going to support renewable energies and zero carbon and moving in that direction…we should be inclined to support it."

Mr Fuller pointed out that Natural England said it did not object to the plans, as long as there was "appropriate mitigation" to prevent adverse effects on Briddlesford Copses Special Area of Conservation.

The council consent is subject to 27 conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure a contribution towards improvements to the local Rights of Way network and a connecting path through the application site.

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