North Northamptonshire Council leader to ‘examine the decision carefully’ after being quizzed by MPs on approval of huge solar farm
After a letter was sent by two Northamptonshire MPs asking North Northants Council (NNC) leader Martin Griffiths for the council’s response to the approval of Green Hill Solar Farm, NNC has now issued a reply.
Green Hill Solar Farm was approved on October 8 following a lengthy application process. The development was granted by the Planning Inspectorate after being reviewed by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, despite attracting major pushback from residents, politicians, and councillors.
NNC leader Cllr Martin Griffiths was one such critic, launching a petition shortly after its initial proposal, and both Sarah Bool (MP for South Northamptonshire) and Stuart Andrew (MP for Daventry) wrote to the council leader asking NNC to use ‘every legal mechanism at its disposal’ to fight back against the development, and if the council has sought – or plans to seek – formal advice on possibly launching a judicial review against the decision.
In response, Cllr Griffiths said: “The scale of this development has understandably caused considerable concern among residents, particularly about the impact on agricultural land, the countryside and the communities affected.
“The Government has now approved the scheme, but we believe it is right to examine the decision carefully and establish whether there are any grounds for a legal challenge.
“We recognise that judicial review is concerned with the lawfulness of a decision rather than simply whether we agree with it. Any decision to proceed would need to be informed by appropriate legal advice and a proper assessment of the costs involved.”
The solar farm comprises of almost 3,000 acres of agricultural land across nine sites in north and west Northamptonshire, including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and about 20 miles of underground cabling construction between sites.
Efforts to legally challenge the approval are subject to a statutory six-week deadline, which in this case is November 19. Then, a judicial review could take place into the development which has been long criticised by residents who live near the proposed sites around Bozeat, Grendon, Easton Maudit, Earls Barton, Walgrave and Mears Ashby.
Cllr Jan O'Hara, the executive member responsible for planning, added: “The scale of Green Hill Solar Farm raises important questions about the future use of agricultural land and the impact of major infrastructure developments on our rural communities.
“Although the decision rests with the Secretary of State, the concerns raised locally deserve proper consideration. Any potential legal challenge must be based on whether the decision was reached lawfully.”
Cllr Kirk Harrison, North Northants Council’s executive member for climate and sustainability, added: “North Northamptonshire Council’s Climate Change Strategy recognises the opportunities for rooftop solar generation while also addressing the importance of our natural environment and farming.
“Our recent decision to rescind the Climate and Environment Emergency Declaration did not remove our environmental responsibilities.
“We remain committed to practical measures that deliver meaningful benefits, and the location and impact of major renewable energy developments are important considerations in that approach.”