“UK is focusing on offshore wind”

The Prime Minister, in his COP 27 Statement to the House of Commons said:

“The worst thing we can do is alienate communities”

The local community has made very clear to the Dorset Council that North Dairy Farm’s proposed solar development would be in the wrong place. The planners have received over 260 letters pointing out why the proposed site is unsuitable for solar.

Some 40 farming families, almost all of whom are actively supporting the transition to low carbon working, who understand and have shaped the Dorset landscape, have made it clear why the ‘Vale of the little dairies’ is such an inappropriate location for solar development.

In her comments of 25/03/2022 Helen Lilley, The Council’s Landscape Architect noted that “at 77ha the proposed development would be one of the largest solar PV developments in the southwest” and that the proposed development “would result in a significant change in the character of the local landscape and would also adversely affect the setting of the AONB, most particularly given the interrelationship between the clay/rolling vale character of the local landscape that the site is located in, and the chalk escarpment landscape of the AONB”.

She also noted that “there would be significant adverse effects on views from Rights of Way to the east of the site, most especially where these extend across the site to Dungeon Hill Scheduled Ancient Monument/the AONB to the west”.

She stated that in her opinion the proposals did not comply with the requirements of paragraphs 154 and 170 of the NPPF (now 158 and 174 of the NPPF 2021) or policies 3, 4, and 22 of the North Dorset Local Plan and that as a consequence she could not support the application.

The high sunshine and low rainfall of the Dorset’s coastal areas (480mm pa) are very different from the high escarpments surrounding the Blackmore Vale, where 1400 mm pa falls and rapidly drains around the proposed solar site. Because of its special (wet) climate and ground conditions, the area is home to some of the UK’s most successful organic dairy farms.

The Prime Minister, in his COP 27 Statement to the House of Commons today said: “Our track record on renewable energy is superb” ( as is Dorset Council’s record ). He noted: “zero-carbon energy now accounts for half of our electricity needs. We are poised to do more. Offshore wind is the thing we are focusing on” and “We are now a world leader in offshore wind, which is providing cheap forms of electricity and energy for households up and down the country.

Community support is vital

For onshore energy developments, the PM said: “It is right that we bring people with us as we transition to net zero. The worst thing we can do is alienate communities if we want to actually deliver on our climate commitments. As it turns out, we are lucky to have a very reliable and very affordable form of energy in offshore wind, which is also creating jobs domestically in the UK. It is right that that is our priority”.

“The worst thing we can do is alienate communities”

‘North Dairy Farm is in a unique location – shaped by Dorset’s record rainfall’

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden has confirmed that rules that require local consent on planning would stay in place as it was important to strike the right balance between “recognising local feeling” and investing in renewable energy offshore.

The proposed site is ‘technically’ unsuitable for solar development and would not comply with the requirements of paragraphs 154 and 170 of the NPPF (now 158 and 174 of the NPPF 2021) or policies 3, 4, and 22 of the North Dorset Local Plan

The Prime Minister’s COP 27 Statement to the House of Commons 9 November 2022

Here is the UK’s energy generation mix right now!

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