Plans for the Cattybrook Solar Farm, a large-scale solar energy project in the countryside north of Bristol, have been narrowly approved by the South Gloucestershire Council. This facility is anticipated to generate 49.9 megawatts of energy, enough to power approximately 18,000 homes annually. However, the decision has sparked considerable debate among local residents and parish councils, who have raised concerns about the project’s impact on the community and the environment.
The solar farm will span 83 hectares across 23 agricultural fields west of Almondsbury. The development will include not only solar panels but also access roads, cabling, a control room, a substation, storage containers, a battery compound, and security features such as two-meter high fencing and CCTV. The project is expected to operate under a 40-year plan, after which the land could potentially be returned to agricultural use, though many locals doubt this will happen.
Local residents have expressed strong opposition to the solar farm, fearing that it represents encroachment on their rural lifestyle and may harm property values. Peter Tyzack, chair of the Pilning & Severn Beach Parish Council, voiced the frustrations of many locals: “These solar panels are of no benefit to the people who live here. We’re being encroached upon from the south by monster warehouses, and now by acres of glass in our Green Belt.”
Another resident, Phil Thomas, added, “This decision will have a profound impact on our community and families like mine who have invested their life savings in homes.” He emphasized the need to preserve the countryside and protect residential amenities, arguing that the project prioritizes commercial interests over local concerns.
While the developers, Luminous Energy, have noted that the site will include wildflower meadows and new hedgerows to enhance biodiversity, critics remain skeptical about the overall environmental impact. There are claims that the solar farm could disrupt local habitats and alter the landscape permanently.
In response to these concerns, Jolyon Orchard, chief executive of Luminous Energy, stated, “The amount of solar currently connected to the region’s electricity distribution network needs to increase sevenfold in the next four years to meet government targets.” He also mentioned that the project would allow for ongoing agricultural use, such as sheep grazing beneath the solar panels, a practice seen in other solar farms.
The council’s decision to approve the solar farm reflects broader government and council policies that encourage renewable energy generation as part of a transition away from fossil fuels. Conservative councillor Paul Hughes expressed his concerns during the meeting, stating, “I’m not a luddite; I’ve just recently installed solar panels on my house. But I don’t think this is the correct place for such a large development.”
While the Cattybrook Solar Farm aims to contribute to the region’s renewable energy goals and mitigate climate change, the tensions between development and community interests remain palpable. As the UK pushes for increased renewable energy capacity, balancing environmental sustainability with local concerns will be crucial in shaping future projects.
