Charborough Estate solar farm plans delayed for site visit

An application for a solar farm on land owned by a Dorset MP has been held up while a site visit is held.

East Dorset District Council had previously recommended that proposals for 90,000 panels on land owned by South Dorset MP Richard Drax should be allowed.

The council said it had since received legal advice that a site visit was needed before a decision by members.

More than 650 objections have been raised from residents and groups.

Among the concerns were its size, visual impact and the loss of agricultural land.

The local authority said a visit to the 44-hectare (106-acre) site would take place on 2 July and a further committee meeting would be held on 21 July.

Mr Drax owns the Charborough Estate but the solar farm would be run by a company called Good Energy.

The council has also received more than 50 letters supporting the solar farm, which could generate enough electricity to supply 6,344 homes.

Good Energy said it would contribute to a community fund and offer reduced price electricity to local residents.

A council report said the solar farm would only result in "very localised significant landscape and visual effects" but mature hedges and surrounding woodland would help screen the site.

East Dorset District Council gave permission for the initial plans in 2013 but campaigners won the right to a judicial review.

Plans for the solar farm were downscaled earlier this year from 70 hectares (175 acres) of land.