Plans for a new solar development in County Durham have been approved for a second time after being reconsidered over a legal issue.

The new solar farm will be built on around 282 acres of land at Hett, near Spennymoor.

Lightsource bp’s proposal was approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee in May 2024 but was reconsidered after it was claimed the output capacity of the development was incorrectly presented. 

A planning meeting on Wednesday heard further concerns from residents about the large-scale site. 

Barbara Marinan, a Hett resident of 48 years, said: “I consider myself an environmentalist - a supporter of renewables and solar power - but only when approached sensibly. This project is not sensible. 

“If completed, 282 acres of productive arable land will no longer be used for food production. The more monstrous projects allowed the more we become dependent on other nations for our food.”

Ms Marinan was supported by local county councillor Jan Blakey who said, “the environmental impact of the number of solar panels that will be put in will have a big effect on the surrounding area.”

Lightsource bp claimed the solar farm will help around 14,400 homes during its lifetime. Robin Duncan, senior development manager, said: “The project will provide significant benefits, supporting both Durham’s and the UK’s targets for energy security.”

But Ms Marinan questioned how effective it will be. “Around here the sun doesn't shine enough to provide massive amounts of power. It is not sufficient enough to warrant the destruction of arable land,” she added. 

“This project has been perceived as an easy way to tick a green box without people understanding the implications. It will ultimately turn out to be an exercise in greenwashing.”

Despite the concerns, committee members said they could not see how the application could be refused after the initial approval earlier this year. Councillor David Boyes said: “This has been passed, so we can’t object to it unless there are material differences. 

“We haven’t got a leg to stand on, if we vote against this it’s going to lose at appeal and that’s going to cost the taxpayers of County Durham. I can’t see for the life of me how we can object to this.”

Meanwhile, councillor Kevin Shaw added: “We seem to be putting eggs in the pudding after it’s already cooked. I don’t think we’ve got any material reasons to refuse this application.”

The increase in solar farm planning applications prompted questions around the council’s position towards the amount it can process. Mike Currah asked: “Does the council have a plan for how many of these developments we want to have in County Durham? It seems a bit of a free market, wild west type of process to getting one of these up and running."

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Council officers said there currently is no limit but that could be reviewed in the future. 

For councillor Jonathan Elmer, solar developments are key to the future of the region and country. “Large-scale projects like this one are by far the most effective way of meeting carbon targets,” the Green party member said. 

“We need to be on a war footing when it comes to tackling the climate crisis and small-scale projects don’t have the same impact.”