Johns Associates is delighted to have recently obtained planning permission on behalf of Good Energy for a new 5MW solar farm in Gloucestershire, providing Town Planning, Ecology, Flood Risk and EIA co-ordination services.
The application was originally refused by Tewkesbury Borough councilors, despite a positive recommendation from the Planning Officer. Johns Associates co-ordinated the appeal process, leading the engagement with the Planning Inspectorate. The Environmental Statement was robust to the intense scrutiny it was subjected to and the Planning Inspector found in favour of the applicant team. The scheme will not only add to the UKs burgeoning renewable generation capacity, but, through work with the local Wildlife Trust will also unlock local environmental benefits.
There was further cause for celebration as the Delabole wind farm, the first in the country, celebrated its 25th birthday. Johns Associates recently obtained a further planning permission for the site to supplement the wind with solar panel capacity. This was identified by Good Energy CEO Juliet Davenport as a key priority for the site in the national news coverage and Johns Associates was proud to have provided Town Planning, Landscape, Flood Risk, Ecology and Arboricultural expertise.
Johns Associates is very pleased to have gained two approvals for solar farms against a recent backdrop of increasing difficulty in obtaining permission for this type of proposal.