A planning application for a Solar Farm in Purleigh has been refused following concerns over its proximity to neighbouring homes.

The planning application, submitted in August 2023 by Harris Lamb Limited, outlines plans for a Solar Farm, together with a substation, ancillary buildings, structure, landscaping, emergency lighting and access. 

The application concerned land South West of the Warren, Hackmans Lane. 

In the Decision Notice published February 1, it states that the application had been refused because: "It had not been demonstrated that the harm the development would cause, including harm to the amenity of the occupants of the adjacent residential property known as The Crib, would be outweighed by the benefits of the proposal."

Concerns had been raised by residents since the submission of the plans, as they became concerned due to its proposed proximity to neighbouring homes. 

One woman expressed that the Solar farm would be just 150 metres from her home.

In the woman's objection comment she said: "We are concerned about the safety and health risks of living at the site, particularly for our grandchildren.

Having lived in our home for the past 45 years, we value the local wildlife and countryside and would not want to see the loss of good agricultural land or the character of the local landscape altered in this way."

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Applications for Solar farms in the Maldon District are not rare, with one energy company recently resubmitting plans in January for a Solar array on Keelings Road, Dengie.