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Senior civil servants who devise planning policy have given their support to an application to build a solar farm at Sorel.
Jersey Electricity has applied to install more than 5,500 solar panels in around 100 rows of varying lengths, and construct a substation in a cluster of fields off Rue de Sorel in St. John.
Members of the ‘Strategy and Innovation Team’ within the Government's new Cabinet Office have recently provided their assessment of the application against the policies of the Bridging Island Plan, which the team helped to write.
It states: “The principle of developing a large-scale infrastructure installation anywhere in the open countryside is challenging, and close scrutiny must be paid to the landscape and visual impact assessment.
“Ultimately, a balance must be struck between facilitating appropriate infrastructure that will help secure the island’s carbon neutral pledge and the need to protect the island’s sensitive countryside and coast from development that may cause lasting harm."
Pictured: If approved, the solar farm will be built on fields close to Sorel Point.
The team adds: “While it is acknowledged that the proposed development would secure the delivery of a significant element of strategic infrastructure designed to help achieve the island’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, this does not translate to an automatic support for such under the policies of the Bridging Island Plan.
“Solar arrays of the scale proposed if deemed to meet a proven strategic need should, in accordance with the approved spatial strategy, be directed to the built-up area before consideration is given to a countryside or coastal location. To this end, a robust and evidenced sequential test has indicated that the site is an appropriate option.
“Furthermore, the likely impact of the development upon landscape character and visual quality of the area has been assessed with a professional and comprehensive a landscape and visual impact assessment and mitigation measures are proposed to minimise any potential impact.”
It concludes: “On balance, the evidenced assessments submitted with the application lead to a reasonable conclusion that the benefits of the scheme, in terms of working towards a net carbon zero future and a move towards long-term energy security, outweigh any potential impacts upon landscape character and visual amenity.
“This conclusion is based upon the successful implementation of the identified mitigation measures.”
The application has attracted 14 public comments, including from the National Trust, which is opposing it, and the Comité Rurale de St Jean, which has called for the temporary nature of the site to be reduced from 40 years to 15 to 20, if it is approved.
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