A DECISION to ‘temporarily pause’ development of a solar farm in the Bromsgrove district has been welcomed by the town’s MP Bradley Thomas.
In light of the Clean Power 2030 action plan renewable energy developer Exagen has postponed its Oak Valley Energy Park to reassess the project to determine its necessity in achieving the UK’s Net Zero targets.
As part of this review, Exagen are now evaluating the proposed Oak Valley Energy Park in collaboration with the local Distribution Network Operator to assess whether both the proposed solar farm and battery energy storage system still remain essential to help meet these targets.
The timescale for concluding this reassessment have yet to be confirmed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), though the industry anticipates it to be towards the end of 2025.
Although MPs do not have a formal role in the planning process, Mr Thomas is opposed to the proposals to develop a solar farm and BESS on this site in Weatheroak Hill.
He is opposed to the proposals having met with local residents to discuss their legitimate concerns with the plans.
Mr Thomas also conducted a survey of local residents which found that 97 per cent are opposed to the project.
The Bromsgrove MP said: “We should not be building solar farms and battery energy storage systems on good agricultural land, especially at a time when we should be boosting our country’s food security, not reducing it.
“Although this is not the end of this saga, I hope Exagen’s review will end these proposals once and for all.
“In the meantime, I’ll continue to work with local residents to oppose these proposals and to make the case for them to be scrapped forever.”
