The Jack and Jill Hill Preservation Society is jumping for joy after news that an appeal to build a 13ha solar farm on organic farmland in Kilmersdon has been dismissed by an independent Inspector.
The appeal, by INRG Solar Ltd against the decision of Mendip District Council in January this year, was mainly dismissed on the grounds of the potential loss of organic farming land, currently used by a tenant farmer with a herd of 275 dairy cows. The Inspector noted that land of poorer quality should be considered first, although the appellants argued that there is no brownfield or non-agricultural sites located close by and that any areas in nearby towns are safeguarded under the local plan.
The Inspector also viewed the application as having a detrimental effect in an undulating landscape, stating that the development would be 'a utilitarian intrusion interrupting the agricultural terrain that acts as a buffer to the south of Radstock and Midsomer Norton', particularly from the elevated position of the A362 or Haydon Hill.
A spokesperson for the Jack and Jill Hill Preservation Society said this week: "We are really pleased with the outcome and feel that the Inspector came to the correct decision."