AN ENERGY firm has pulled the plug on proposals to create a huge solar farm near Chickerell.

As reported, last year Statera Energy unveiled plans for a £300 million solar farm and battery storage facility, which – had the scheme gone ahead – would have spanned 1,300 acres of land between Buckland Ripers and Friar Waddon - equivalent to more than 950 average-sized football pitches.

However the Chickerell Solar and Storage scheme proved controversial due to its size and proximity to nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - and the scheme has now been dropped ahead of a planning application being made - although Statera still intends to go ahead with the proposed battery storage facility.

Statera had claimed the energy farm would help Dorset meet national targets for energy supply and low-carbon energy development - however concerns had been raised by residents who said it would "blight the countryside" by 'turning it black' with panels, and were concerned about the loss of a significant area of agricultural land.

A spokesperson said: “Statera held public exhibitions in early December to garner views from the public and particularly the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team on the impacts and benefits of a solar scheme on land within the AONB and adjacent to it.

“After extensive engagement with the local community, we have listened and have decided to drop the promotion of a large-scale solar project at this location.”

Meanwhile, a 57-acre battery energy storage system (BESS), with up to 400MW of battery storage capacity, is still proposed for a separate site north of the Chickerell sub-station behind the football club.

Concerns have previously been raised over potential fire risks associated with battery storage facilities due to incidents elsewhere, including battery storage plants in Liverpool, China and Arizona. 

As reported, this was raised by Weymouth Civic Society in February.

The society is now calling on Dorset Council to insist that a full Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) is carried out by an independent expert consultancy at the developer's cost.