.� To be clear, comments relating to anything other than the fight to protect the Wrekin Strategic Landscape will not be tolerated on posts. This is not the place to share thoughts about any other political issues or grievances. �
CURRENT SITUATION:
STEERAWAY Solar Farm application - Unanimously refused by T&W � Planning ref:TWC/2021/1071
The applicant has appealed and
a public inquiry commenced 22/3/23. The inquiry adjourned on 24/3/23 Appeal ref: 3308481
The planning inspector approved the application. T&W have confirmed that their legal team is looking at the decsion alongside the New Works approval which they are challenging. NEW WORKS Solar Farm application - Unanimously refused by T&W � Planning ref: TWC/2020/0737
Public Inquiry ended 24/6/22. The public inquiry recommendedthatvthe apllication by refused, however the Under SecretaryofStatehas overruled this and approved the application. Appeal ref: 3293667
T&W have confirmed that they will be challenging this decision.
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� STEERAWAY SOLAR APPLICATION
� Full planning application has now been submitted for the Steeraway site. �
131 acres, or around 80 football pitches, containing 77,000 3-metre-high solar panels, 6 transformer units, a substation, infrared sensors and 1000s of metres of high security fencing
This planning application was REFUSED on 6/4/22. A Planning Inspectorate public inquiry started on Wednesday 22nd March 2023, 10am, at AFC Telford. The planning inspector approved the application. T&W Council have asked their legal team to look at the decision.
�WHY OBJECT? If an industrial development is approved at Steeraway in the Wrekin Strategic Landscape, then the gloves are off and every part of this protected area is fair game.
�Government expects Local Authorities to proactively identify suitable sites and to make decisions based on it's Local Plan.
�Telford and Wrekin's Local Plan is clear:
�It pledges to ‘protect the character of the rural area and strategic landscapes.’
�Policy NE7 protects the appearance and intrinsic landscape quality and prevent development which would be inconsistent, and detrimental to this.
�Policy ER1 only supports renewable energy development, where there is ‘no significant adverse effect on landscape, ecology, wildlife or on areas of amenity value.’
�Crucially, the Borough plan affords the same protection to the entire Wrekin strategic landscape, not just the Wrekin & Ercall. These are really important planning reasons and can be used when submitting your objection
Background Info:
On 4th December 2020, a scoping opinion was submitted to Telford and Wrekin Council, on behalf of Mr Simeon Batov of RE Projects Development Ltd, proposing the installation of a 52.4 hectares (130 acres) industrial solar farm and ancillary infrastructure on land at Steeraway Farm, Wellington. (Ref: EIA/2020/0009). The proposal, should it proceed and pass planning, would have ‘significant effects’ on the area – these include:
• Landscape and visual impact
• Heritage impacts
• Traffic and highway safety impacts during construction
• Effects on biodiversity
� HISTORY OF STEERAWAY / LIMEKILN LANE
The proposed site is adjacent to an extremely historically important area of Wellington. Records indicate that Limekiln Lane is the oldest known road in the area (excluding Watling Street) – it is mentioned as far back as 1300 (then known as ‘Wodewardes Shute’, which ran from the Royal Forest of Mount Gilbert to Watling Street). Ancient routes leading from Watling Street into the surrounding Ancient Woodlands date back to Roman times. From the 1600s, the area was one of the biggest employers, through the mining of limestone, vital for use in agriculture and building as well as being a crucial requirement for iron manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution, down the road in Ironbridge. An early ‘railway’ linked Steeraway to Watling Street – an important trade route. Steeraway farm was the headquarters of The Steeraway Lime Company. There is still evidence of the area’s history all around – mineshafts, wagons, metal rails, remains of old tramways...
� BIODIVERSITY
There are a number of designated areas within close proximity to the proposed site:
• Limekiln Wood is an existing Local Nature Reserve (LNR), an Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).
• Short Wood is an Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).
• The Wrekin and The Ercall are both Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
• The Wrekin and The Ercall form a Local Geological Site (LGS).
• Ercall Wood is an Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland
• Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
• Smalley Hill Local Wildlife Site (LWS) is located within 2km
• An area of locally de4signated Green Network is located in close proximity to the northern boundary of the Site
Natural England says;
- these areas are ‘of county importance for wildlife and geodiversity’.
- ‘Ancient woodland is an irreplaceable resource of great importance for its wildlife, its history and the contribution it makes to our diverse landscapes. Local authorities have a vital role in ensuring its conservation, in particular through the planning system.’
��PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Nowadays, the area is home to a maze of footpaths and bridleways, often used as an alternative, stunning route to access The Ercall and The Wrekin. It is part of the well publicised Telford T50 trail and also forms one of the newly created Explore the Wrekin trails, enjoyed by families, walkers, dog-walkers, cyclists, horse riders, runners…. GOOD QUALITY AGRICULTURAL LAND
A significant proportion of the land at Steeraway is classed as best and most versatile agricultural land - grades 2 and 3a. the remainder is 3b - still good farmland. As a country, we cannot afford to lose vast areas of productive farmland to inefficient solar. NEW WORKS SOLAR APPLICATION
Planning no TWC/2021/0737
The New Works application was unanimously refused by Telford and Wrekin Planning Committee at the end of 2021. In February 2022, notice was received that the developer intends to pursue an appeal via the planning inspectorate. The Campaign will work with the planning department and local councils and councillors to fight this appeal. The public inquiry ended on 24th June 2022. The appeal has been 'recovered' by the Secretary of State, which means that the Planning Inspector will make his recommendation but the SoS will make the decision. Result: the application was recommended for refusal by the planning inspector, however the Under Secretary of State has overruled this and recommended approval
T&W have confirmed they will be appealing this decision via the High Court.
� THE PHYSICAL INTEGRITY AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE AREAS SHOULD BE PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO STUDY AND ENJOY. THEY ARE SIMPLY IRREPLACEABLE. �
