Opposition Mounts Against Desborough Airfield Solar Plan

A campaign group has been formed to oppose plans for a major solar farm on the former RAF Desborough airfield, warning the development would have a “devastating impact” on the countryside and wildlife.

More than 50 objections have already been submitted to North Northamptonshire Council since a planning application was lodged in June.

Friends of the Airfield and Valley (FAV) says around 360 football pitches’ worth of land would be enclosed by security fencing and covered by thousands of solar panels measuring up to 3.2 metres high.

The group says the airfield is used by people from Desborough, Rothwell, Corby and Market Harborough, as well as surrounding communities, for walking, running, cycling and recreation.

A spokesperson said the development would turn an area with a “huge vista” into a “tunnel of security fencing”, while wildlife including deer and skylarks would be displaced.

FAV also says infrastructure needed to connect the solar farm to the electricity grid would be built on a high point overlooking the Welland Valley, with two substations and other industrial structures potentially visible for miles.

The group says the infrastructure would be particularly visible to people on the north side of the valley, which is in the Harborough District.

The spokesperson said: “Solar belongs on roofs, not the open countryside and farmland.”

The proposals, submitted by Innova, would include solar panels and up to 100 megawatts of energy storage.

The company says the site could generate up to 99.9 megawatts of renewable electricity, enough to power around 32,000 homes.

Innova says the development would support local and national renewable energy generation, contribute to energy security and help the UK’s transition to a lower-carbon electricity system.

RAF Desborough was used as an airbase during the Second World War.

The planning application will be considered by North Northamptonshire Council as part of the planning process.