AN application for variation of conditions has been submitted to Torridge District Council’s planning to extend operation of use of a solar farm at Pancrasweek, Holsworthy.

Concerns have been raised over the change from a ‘temporary’ solar farm — the initial application was for the solar farm to be operational for 25 years only — to an expanded lifespan of 40 years.

The agents for Pitworthy Solar Limited, who submitted the application, are ‘Foresight Group’.

James Jenkison, principal planner from the Foresight Group based in London, said: “The Climate Change Act 2008 set a legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 against a 1990 base. In order to accomplish and sustain this goal there will be a need for renewable energy from solar farms such as that at Pitworthy Farm beyond this date to maintain greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions below this level on a permanent basis and ensure a low carbon economy and healthy living environment for all of our communities.

“It is therefore considered that amending the condition has environmental merit as well as providing an effective enforcement mechanism for the ongoing management and operation of the solar farm and its removal.”

However, CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Devon suggested, ‘it is likely that the original application would have been refused, had it been known that the solar farm would have been much more than temporary’.

Dr Phillip Bratby, CPRE Devon’s energy spokesman, said: “This is a very signficant application and one which would have wide ranging consequences. In a nutshell, this huge solar farm of 109-acres (the largest in Torridge) was given permission, for a ‘temporary period’ of 25 years.

“This new application now seeks to change that and expand the lifespan of the permission considerably to 40 years — to 2054! All the solar farms and wind turbines/wind farms which were given permission were for 25 years and that was considered ‘temporary’. Will they all now apply to be extended?”

CPRE Devon have expressed that they will be objecting this proposal.

Dr Bratby added: “Also, since construction, we believe that the Pitworthy Solar Farm has performed very badly, only producing electricity at a rate of about 8% of its design capacity. It has had a huge and damaging impact on the landscape and on the visual amenity of nearby residents.

“It was granted planning permission on the basis of 25 years of operation, this period being considered temporary. An extension of its lifetime beyond 25 years is unacceptable, especially as its performance will fall even further as the solar panels degrade as they age.”

The final decision regarding the application is expected to be made by Torridge District Council.