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A solar farm near Taunton can remain operational until 2068 following a vote by local councillors.
Higher Knapp solar farm lies to the south of Higher Knapp Farm, located in the small hamlet of Knapp within the parish of North Curry, east of Somerset’s county town.
The facility has been generating electricity since 2013, with the original planning permission setting its operational limit at 30 years – meaning it would have to be dismantled and the land returned to its original use by 2043.
But Somerset Council‘s planning committee west (which handles major applications within the former Somerset West and Taunton area) has now approved an extension to this permissions, meaning it can continue to generate clean power for a further 25 years.
The solar farm is currently accessible by two means: an access track on Knapp Road near the existing farm buildings, and a public footpath which runs along its western boundary and emerges onto Knapp Hill.
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In addition to extending its operational lifespan, the council’s planning officers have requested that additional landscaping be put in place during the next planning season (i.e. the winter of 2027/28) to provide better screening at the boundaries of the site.
Under the revised permission, the solar farm would have to be completely dismantled by March 31, 2068 or within six months of its ceasing operation (whichever comes sooner) – with the land having to be returned entirely to its former condition by June 30, 2068.
Both Creech St. Michael Parish Council and local division councillor David Fothergill vehemently opposed the extension, with the latter arguing it “fundamentally undermines the temporary nature of the land allocation for solar farms” and would therefore set a potentially distressing legal precedent.
Councillor Frances Nicholson (Conservative, Dulverton and Exmoor) took a different views, welcoming the additional landscaping as part of any extension.
She said: “I’m particularly pleased to see the renewal of the condition around landscaping.
Councillor Frances Nicholson (Conservative, Dulverton and Exmoor) (Image: Somerset Council)
“What’s important is the element which requires maintenance of the landscaping – if that wasn’t present last time, we’ve remedied that now.”
Councillor Gwilym Wren (Independent, Upper Tone) said he found the proposal “quite troubling” and shared Mr Fothergill’s concerns about the loose use of the word ‘temporary’.
He elaborated: “All these solar farms were sold to the local communities and committees on the basis that they were temporary.
“It was going to be 30 years, that crept up to 40, we’re now looking at 55.
“I would submit these are pretty permanent, so long as solar generation is going to be a source of energy. I think the whole ‘temporary’ argument has completely fallen away.”
Councillor Gwilym Wren (Independent, Upper Tone) (Image: Somerset Council)
Councillor Dave Mansell (Green, Upper Tone) disagreed, stating: “The impact of this in landscaping terms is minimal.
“I’m not saying solar farms can go anywhere – they do need to be in the right locations – but there is a view that they’re a very positive sight.
“I have to say, in my eyes, we’re doing something positive to save our future and make a better world. That is seriously important.
“We need more of this sort of thing to contribute to our energy needs. We need more battery energy storage alongside it, but it does make a good contribution.”
After around an hour’s debate, the committee voted to approve the plans by six months to none, with two abstentions.
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