Huge Torbay solar farm planned

Council's agency to spend £2.75 million

Plans for a new 17-acre new solar farm in Brixham are to be voted on by Torbay Council’s planning committee.

The council hopes the £2.75 million facility at Brokenbury, between Paignton and Brixham, will help it reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Right now, the Bay doesn’t have much in the way of renewable energy infrastructure, with most of its green energy coming from roof-mounted solar panels which only provide 1.6 per cent of Torbay's energy needs.

If it goes ahead, the farm would produce 2.7 megawatts of clean energy - enough to power around 800 homes. South West Water, which has a  treatment plant nearby, will use the majority of the power. Any surplus energy will be supplied to the national grid. 

Planners don't believe the development will be detrimental to the look of the surrounding area. The solar panels will be mounted on the ground and reach a maximum height of 2.9 metres. Existing hedgerows around the field will largely shield the panels from view. The farm will have CCTV cameras for security.

Despite these mitigation efforts, 17 objections have been received from 14 households, raising concerns over health and safety, loss of land, and impact on the surrounding area. 

There is some evidence of Bronze Age works within the site. An archaeologist from Devon County Council says finds such as this are rare in Devon and that part of the site should be considered as a "non-designated heritage asset." These are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes that have heritage significant enough to merit consideration in planning decisions.

The application has been made by the Torbay Development Agency, Torbay Council's economic development company.

The council's planning committee will meet next Monday to make a decision.