Planning Appeal
RES is appealing against Sevenoaks District Council’s refusal of planning application (Reference 23/03181/FUL) for the proposed Chimmens Solar Farm.RES, as applicant, consider the original design of the scheme fitted sensitively into the existing landscape whilst maximising the low carbon, low-cost electricity generation. We have however, considered feedback and professional advice and following the refusal of the application, minor amendments have been made to the design of the proposal:
- Removal of all solar infrastructure from Field 9 (see F9 Skylark Area 1B on the enclosed Landscape Masterplan);
- Addition of low-level timber post and rail fence either side of the Public Right of Way (Route SD333) in Field F9;
- Provision of one additional skylark plot, enabling Field 9 to host two nesting pairs of skylarks;
- Higher grassland species richness in Field 9 resulting in an increased biodiversity net gain of 50.22% in habitat units (from 45.15%) and maintaining biodiversity net gain of 39.93% in hedgerow units.
The following drawings set out the minor design changes:
Additional ecological information including a revised Biodiversity Net Gain calculation following the minor amendments to the proposal can also be found here.
Further information can be found on the Appeals Casework Portal https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ using the PINS Appeals Reference: APP/G2245/W/25/3359260.