Rivenhall solar farm plans turned down by Braintree Council

Novus Renewable Services was seeking to build the solar farm just to the south of Silver End.

The site is about 31.1 hectares, or 76.8 acres and is made up of arable fields.

The site is approximately 31.1 hectares (Image: N/A)

There are a number of Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings near the site and a designated ancient monument.

There are also four public rights of way which bisect the site in places or pass very close to the site.

Rivenhall Thicks ancient woodland is located to the southwest of the site.

The proposed solar farm would have a maximum capacity of up to 22.5MW, which would provide enough electricity to power 5,768 homes a year, equivalent to nine per cent of homes in the district.

Plans also include a substation, transformers, spare container units, CCTV and fencing around the area.

The proposals say the solar farm would save approximately 5,533 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

If passed, the construction period of the farm would last for approximately 16 weeks.

The proposed solar farm would power about 5,768 homes a year (Image: N/A)

Since being submitted to Braintree Council, the solar farm received 210 support comments.

However, the council has now rejected the plans.

The council’s historic buildings consultant and Heritage England raised concerns over the impact on the designated and non-designated heritage assets close to the site.

There were concerns “the proposal would cause less than substantial harm to the setting of Grade I listed St Mary's Church and the setting of Grade II* listed Rivenhall Place".

They continue: “The proposal would also have a negative impact on the character and appearance of the existing landscape and a significant impact on the character and views from the public rights of way within the site.

“Notwithstanding the inarguable benefits that this proposal could have to clean energy generation, the public benefits of the proposal do not outweigh the adverse impacts.”