Nythe Road solar farm – planning refused!

We are living in a climate emergency. CPRE Somerset wants to see more of our energy coming from clean, renewable sources.

However, solar farms must be sited in the most suitable places, reducing environmental damage.  We feel that plans for a huge solar power plant on the Somerset Levels are inappropriate and we are delighted that Somerset Council agree!

The plans for Nythe Road Solar Park involved covering 15 fertile green fields with solar panels.  That’s an area of 146 acres. There is already a 40 acre solar plant right next door, granted permission in 2015 – this is what you can see in the picture above and in solid blue on the map below.  If the new scheme had been approved this 186-acre expanse of PV panels would have been one of the largest in the Southwest.

Much to the delight of local campaigners, the Planning Officer for Somerset Council refused planning permission in late May 2024.

Why we objected

Damage to landscape

No amount of screening would have been able to hide the visual impact of this huge industrial power plant in our countryside.  As well as fields full of rows and rows of metal and glass solar panels, there would have been perimeter security fencing  – all in place for 40 years.  The plans also included a permanent brick substation building situated next to a Public Right of Way.

The pictures below show the view now and a mock up of how the same view would look with the solar panels in place.

Loss of farmland

We believe that much of the land is grade 2 or 3a agricultural land, termed Best & Most Versatile (BMV) land. National planning guidance does not justify loss of BMV land for solar farms.

Speaking up

We need renewable energy but we also need our countryside.  That is why CPRE’s Rooftop Renewables campaign is calling for more rooftop solar on commercial buildings and new homes.

There are certainly solar farms in Somerset that are well designed and well placed in the landscape. There are those that provide significant community benefits.  Unfortunately, in our opinion, Nythe Road Solar Park is not one of these and we are pleased it has been refused.  However, we need to remain ready to fight again as the developers are likely to appeal.

The local campaign group SOS levels have worked incredibly hard to oppose this application. Three local Parish Councils also objected – High Ham PC, Ashcott PC and Walton PC.  The local community strongly oppose this threat to their countryside and we are happy to stand alongside them.  We will do so again if the application does go to appeal.

You can read our objection to the Nythe Road Solar Farm here CPRE Somerset objection letter-Nythe Rd Solar Farm

You can read the landscape statement commissioned by SOS Levels and CPRE Somerset here Nythe Road Solar Farm Landscape Statement- The Landscape Practice

Read CPRE’s position on solar energy here Solar energy statement February 2022

How we consider plans for solar farms in the countryside