A controversial solar farm development on Green Belt land near Wingerworth has been approved – despite swathes of local fury protesting the plan.
North East Derbyshire District Council’s planning committee granted permission for the 7.5-megawatt solar array after insisting that they had “very special circumstances” that they said outweighed potential harm to the council.
The decision came following heated debate at the planning meeting, where residents voiced strong concerns about the project’s proximity to homes.
The development, proposed by Ethical Power Development Limited, will be built on seven hectares of agricultural land between Wingerworth and Chesterfield borough.
The development will be built on seven hectares of agricultural land between Wingerworth and Chesterfield borough
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The solar panels, which will not exceed three metres in height, will be installed south of Green Acres, off Langer Lane.
The council determined that the impact on the visual openness of the land would be moderate and would not significantly affect the area’s character.
The facility is expected to generate enough clean energy to power 2,760 local properties.
Local residents submitted 21 objections, with Wingerworth resident Janet Brown highlighting that her house would be just 40 metres from the site.
“It’s not a question of ‘not in my back yard’ but it almost is in my backyard – 40 metres from my door,” said Brown.
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Wingerworth Parish Council also objected, arguing that homes should be at least 200 metres from the development, rather than the proposed 50 metres in some cases.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England opposed the scheme, insisting that it would inappropriately use Green Belt land and erode settlement separation.
Chesterfield Borough Council also raised concerns that the development would harm the Green Belt and create a negative visual impact.
They argued that the project’s contribution to national energy needs would not be sufficient to justify development on protected land.
The planning committee ultimately approved the development with six councillors voting in favour, three against, and one abstention (Stock)
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An Ethical Power Development spokesperson highlighted the project’s environmental benefits, stating: “We are proud and excited to bring forward this solar proposal in Wingerworth which will deliver 7.5MW of green energy saving 1,700 tonnes of CO2.”
The developer emphasised the scheme would exceed biodiversity targets, promising “uplifts of 107 per cent hedgerow, 68 per cent habitat and ten per cent watercourse units”.
The planning committee ultimately approved the development with six councillors voting in favour, three against, and one abstention.
However, the approval comes with several conditions, including requirements for a land contamination assessment and investigation of potential mining legacy risks.
Construction times will also be restricted, and the developer must restore the land to its original state after the 40-year operational period ends.
