Solar panels would be a ‘blot’ says council

They have written to Rother Council saying the proposal, at Spelland Oast, in Goatham Lane, would be “a blot on the landscape and not in keeping with the surrounding area.”

The plans involve constructing six rows of panels, up to 50 metres in length, in part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The installation will be used to provide electricity to residential and outbuildings on the site, which also includes a holiday let property.

Planners at Rother Council are backing the scheme saying the panels, in a field, will not be visible from the road or from neighbouring properties.

The panels will be 15cm from the ground at the front, sloping up to a height of nearly 1.5 metres.

Rother plannning chief Tim Hickling said: “The area is south facing, which maximises solar efficiency.

“A large installation such as this is suited to a countryside location and will have minimal impact on residential amenity.

“Although the site is located in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is not highly prominent in the landscape and any potential adverse affect can be mitigated by perimeter screening.

“It does not adversely affect the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.”

Rother’s planning committee was due to make a decision on the application when it met yesterday (Thursday).