®Planning appeal decision
Dunsham Lane, Wayford, Crewkerne, Somerset, TA18 8QN
a Solar Farm with photovoltaic arrays and associated infrastructure
- Authority
- Somerset Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- utilities-energy · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- Longmuir J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area including the setting of the National Landscape Area
- the effect of the proposal on the settings of heritage assets including designated listed buildings, registered parks and gardens, archaeological remains and non-designated heritage assets
- the effect of the proposal on the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land
- the effect of the proposal on residential amenity, in particular the occupants of Townsend House
- the effect of the proposal on the quality of drinking water, surface water run-off and relatedly land stability
What decided it
The cumulative harm to landscape character/the setting of the Dorset National Landscape and to designated heritage assets outweighed the significant benefits of renewable energy generation.
the significant benefits of renewable energy generation and biodiversity net gain did not outweigh the cumulative harm to landscape character and the setting of the Dorset National Landscape, to heritage assets, and to Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, so the balance tipped against the proposal
Framework references: 11, 161, 168, 187, 188, 189, 196, 212, 213, 215
Plan policies cited: EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, EQ7, SD1, S1, SP1, C1a, C2a, C3a, C4a
Judgments cited: R (oao CPRE, Kent Branch) v SSHCLG [2025] EWHC 1781 (Admin); New Forest National Park Authority v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, Local Government and Another [2025] EWHC 726 (Admin); Persimmon Homes (Thames Valley) Ltd v Worthing BC [2023] EWCA Civ 762; Catesby Estates Ltd v Steer [2018] EWCA Civ 1697; Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v East Northants DC, English Heritage, National Trust and SSCLG [2014] EWCA Civ 137; Bramley Solar Farm Residents Group v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2023] EWHC 2842 (Admin); Palmer v Herefordshire Council [2016] EWCA Civ 1061
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.