A developer hoping to build a new solar farm has defended its bid after locals claimed the application had ‘gone under the radar’.

Several Fishburn residents say they were unaware of the plans to build the 187-acre site on land in the village, just 350m away from residential properties, until they read a report from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The applicant Locogen says solar panels will only take up around five per cent of the designated site, with the rest able to be used as agricultural land but has still come under criticism from residents about whether it is needed.

It says the site, to the south of Harap Road, was specifically chosen as it would be discrete in the landscape. The site is bound to the west by Fishburn Airfield, Spennymoor Clay Pigeon Club to the north west and a smaller solar development to the north east.

The Northern Echo: The proposed area for development, near Fishburn The proposed area for development, near Fishburn (Image: The Northern Echo)

Resident, Valerie Thompson likened the solar farm to a “blot” on the landscape and said it would be “as bad as having the pit heap back that once used to be very close to the terrace I live in and totally devalue the area”.

But defending its publicity campaign, Locogen said it has been in contact with the local parish council since May 2022, has distributed flyers throughout the community and online, and is holding drop-in sessions to raise awareness.

A public consultation was held in June last year, in Fishburn Village Hall and was attended by 18 residents but neighbours have asked for further involvement.

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“We have continued to liaise with the parish council in the meantime and advised them and others who had expressed an interest in the project of when we intended to submit (and when we did submit) the application,” a spokesman said.  

A range of funding benefits have also been drawn up buy the developer, with around £15,000 per year due to be provided to the community.

“The project will contribute to the local economy including payment of business rates which are estimated to be £200k per annum, equating to £8 million over the 40-year life period,” Locogen added.

The planning application is due to be decided later this year.