DESPITE overwhelming local objections – 41 out of 43 local people who commented on the scheme were opposed to it – councillors are being recommended to approve the creation of a new solar farm in the borough green belt.

At tomorrow's meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee officers are advising councillors to back the application for the 331-acre site near Marsh Farm in Fobbing.

The application was first put to the committee in March when it was decided to have a site visit. In between times there has been an election and a reshaping of the committee – so just five members who were present in March will be eligible to vote when the decision process is resumed.

The solar panels would be three metres high with "bifacial panels" and a tracking system that will follow the path of the sun.

When operational, the solar farm would supply up to 49.9MW to the National Grid, which is the equivalent of the annual electrical needs of approximately 16,100 family homes.

If approved the farm will be operational for 40 years after which the land will be restored to agricultural use.

Among the many concerns raised by residents are additional traffic during construction, loss of greenbelt and wildlife, harm to the countryside and a detrimental visual impact.

There were also fears it could contribute to flooding.

The site where the solar panel is planned.

Ironically, among the many who are objecting to the development is local planning developer Mr Paul O'Nion who lives nearby.

In the past his company has sought approval for developments opposed by neighbours, but dismissed the opposition.

This time he is on the side of the opponents and his argument sums up some local comments and highlights the drive for profit from landowners at the expense of others.

He says: "To destroy nearly 200 acres of greenbelt and agricultural land to make way for an array of ugly solar panel and all the security fencing and storage containers and equipment that goes with it just to supply approximately 50MW of power is senseless and not viable to the balance of the environment.

"This is another moneymaking scheme for all land owners concerned and the profit made by leasing the land outweighs the harm to the locality and the environment as far as they are concerned.

"This is farmland and farmers should be proud of themselves to carry on the tradition of farming like their family before them.

"Presumably if this scheme gained approval the land would be classed as previously developed land which would then open the gates to over 200 acres to development in the future and turn Fobbing into a massive housing estate and existing house prices plummet.

"There are better ways to produce green energy which are being explored. This is not one of them."

If approved, construction vehicles would enter the site from the A13 via the existing agricultural access on High Road. Temporary road signs would be placed along the route to direct construction traffic to and from the site.

Former landfills – Fobbing Marshes and Vange Marshes – are present across the southern half of the site.

A ground investigation was undertaken in March 2021 which included trial pits and laboratory analysis. The investigation concluded that the development is not considered to lead to contamination of water or soils.

The full application can be viewed via this link and the report to committee is here.