Solar farm more than seven times the size of Fosse Park is set for the Leicestershire border

A solar farm more than seven times the size of Fosse Park could soon be in the works for fields on the Leicestershire border. Initial details of the scheme have been submitted to Melton Borough Council on behalf of RWE Renewables to see if further environmental assessments need to be carried out before a planning application is eventually submitted.

The 270 acres of land allocated to the solar farm are currently used for agricultural purposes and form part of Stygate Farm, between Pickwell, Somerby and Whissendine, near Rutland. It is 3.5 km from – a popular place for visitors with its Iron Age hill fort and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

The farm would be split into two locations, with the larger piece being nearly 198 acres and the smaller piece nearly 73 acres. The land is mainly in the borough of Melton, but as parts of it extend into Rutland, planning applications will be submitted to both Melton Borough Council and Rutland County Council.

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A report submitted to the planning officer by design consultancy Stantec on behalf of the application states: “The site is not covered by any landscape designation but contains mature native trees, hedgerows; a pond; and a tributary of the Whissendine Brook.”

The land is part of the High Leicestershire Hills Landscape Character Area, which, according to the report, is “characterized by rolling hills and pronounced escarpments; well-preserved sporting estates; historic features, greenbelts and parks; and unimproved meadows’. The report shows that the soil is classified as grade 3, which is considered “good” to “moderate” for agricultural purposes.

A landscape report commissioned by the complainant says the farm would “alter the landscape character and quality of the landscape from the dwellings and users of Stygate Lane”, but says the large-scale effects on the landscape would be limited by the “surrounding landform and intervening vegetation “. It suggests planting more trees to “further meet the views from neighboring residences.”

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