Plans for a new solar farm in the countryside around Darlington have been approved despite concerns they are beginning to take over green space. 

The scheme by UK solar developer Lightrock Power will cover 66 hectares of land to the north of Sadberge, after plans were approved at a Darlington Borough Council planning meeting on Wednesday. 

Due to be named Longpasture Solar Farm, the applicant says it will generate enough power to supply 14,000 homes or 17,700 electric vehicles. There are no residential properties within the site, however there are a number of isolated farms and residential properties within a 500m radius surrounding the site. 

The meeting heard how the plans had received cross-party support from within the council - but not all members were convinced.

Councillor Lorraine Tostevin, of Hurworth, criticised the alleged “non-existent” public consultation that was not carried out. 

The Northern Echo: The proposed site of Longpastures Solar Farm, near Sadberge The proposed site of Longpastures Solar Farm, near Sadberge (Image: The Northern Echo)

“You haven’t addressed concerns put to you by parish councils,” she told an agent representing the applicant at the meeting.

Cllr Tostevin added: “It hasn't been explained this will be on a hill. It’s going to be extremely visible to a lot of the residents that live there. The whole of this area is going to be covered in solar farms.” 

Cllr Deborah Laing, of Middleton St George and Sadberge, said the influx of solar farms in the area was becoming a problem and questioned the consistency of local decisions. “It’s just going to be a carpet of solar farms,” she added. 

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The concerns come amid local uncertainty around a separate application for the large Byers Gill solar farm, which would cover land between Brafferton and Bishopton

In response to the concerns, the agent replied: “I do believe we did consult well and we were not invited to attend parish meetings although we did request to.” 

The proposal was approved after receiving the majority support of members.