Countryside campaigner CPRE Devon flags up concerns over plans for a huge new solar farm near Barnstaple

The Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Devon) is urging its members in North Devon and other interested parties in the area to attend a public exhibition next week to find out about plans for a massive solar installation to the south-west of Barnstaple.

CPRE Devon has learnt that Bristol-based Aura Power is considering developing a huge new solar farm on a site to the west and north of Litchardon Cross. The proposed development would cover around 64 ha (160 acres) which is a quarter of a square mile of farmland - bigger than the one proposed at Langford Farm in Mid Devon. It would be the largest planned solar farm in the county, generating approximately 49,000 MWh of electricity a year from an array of ground-mounted solar PV panels.

Aura Power has invited local residents and businesses to a public exhibition at Lovacott Village Hall on Thursday 16th January between 3 pm and 7 pm. The company says members of the project team will be available to discuss the plans, the studies undertaken so far and to answer questions.

In a letter to local residents, Aura Power’s Project Manager Chris Featonby says, “Currently environmental assessments of the proposed site and surrounding area are underway to establish potential impacts of the proposals and options for mitigation and enhancement where necessary.”

CPRE Devon Director Penny Mills says, “We urge local members to go along, as there are many concerns about these plans, including the visual impact of such a big solar array with all the security fencing that will be required over such a large area. There is also some doubt that the local grid has the capacity to handle the intermittent and uncontrollable electricity which will be generated.”