Anxiety Mounts as Contentious Solar Farm Plan Returns to Cornwall
Community Faces Renewed Solar Farm Debate
A highly contentious planning application for a significant solar farm on over 25 hectares of agricultural land near Marazion is once again set to be decided by a Cornwall Council committee. The proposal, put forward by the centuries-old St Aubyn Estates, has been a source of deep concern for local residents, with the chair of St Hilary Parish Council describing the situation as causing “unprecedented amounts of anxiety” in the area. Councillors had previously deferred the decision earlier this year, opting for a site visit which took place last month. The plan for the solar farm at Trevarthian Farm, across three fields, envisions a 40-year operational period, capable of providing clean energy for an estimated 4,345 homes. However, the benefits of renewable energy are being weighed against significant local impact, leaving the community on edge ahead of the pivotal vote.
Local Impact: Land, Heritage, and Public Concern
The proposed development faces widespread opposition due to concerns over its proximity to a World Heritage Site and the loss of prime agricultural land. Over 70% of the site is classified as “best and most versatile agricultural land,” raising fears about food security and the permanent reduction of the area’s farming capacity. Both St Hilary and Ludgvan parish councils, along with local Cornwall councillor John Martin, have formally objected. The World Heritage Site office and the Environment Agency also oppose the plans, highlighting potential harm to the Tregonning and Gwinear Mining Districts World Heritage Site and the Grade II listed Trevarthian Farmhouse. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly against the project, with 56 out of 58 comments on the council’s planning portal opposing it, and a petition garnering over 1,500 signatures. This cherished landscape, unlike the bustling tourist hubs you might go to Newquay for, offers a unique blend of historical significance and tranquil natural beauty, which local groups like the Ramblers Association and West Cornwall Footpaths Preservation Society argue would be irrevocably harmed, impacting public rights of way and the enjoyment of this historic environment.
Developer’s Vision vs. Local Opposition
Despite strong local objections, the council’s planning department has recommended approval, stating that the renewable energy benefits during a climate emergency outweigh the potential harm. St Aubyn Estates, through their planning agent Zac Hemborough, highlights plans for a 21% biodiversity net gain, including new hedgerows, which they claim would “significantly enhance the ecological value of what is currently intensively managed farmland.” Henry Matthews, head of land and property at St Aubyn Estates, emphasized the company’s long-standing management of the land and its commitment to the local area, employing 200 people. He also stated that landscape impacts would be mitigated through planting and screening, with public rights of way maintained. However, these assurances have yet to quell the significant public concern. As the committee prepares to review the application again, residents and local groups await a decision that will profoundly shape the future of this cherished West Cornwall landscape.
Source: Plan causing ‘unprecedented amounts of anxiety’ is back
