A chance for Central Beds to be carbon neutral, but what about compensation for our villages?

An electric transport hub will be one aspect of the groundbreaking project, the council’s development management committee heard on Wednesday.

A 4,700 panel solar farm on a site near the A5 at Heath and Reach is another element of the scheme - and the planning application for this was before members.

Checkley Wood Energy Limited is to install renewable energy equipment on nearly seven acres of land at Double Arches Quarry.

Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion told the committee he represents seven villages, without “a sizeable town” perspective. “The council has been making a big effort on renewable energies and we made a commitment through a council motion to be carbon neutral,” he said.

“This is a chance for Central Bedfordshire to achieve that target. Heath and Reach is doing its bit for the greater good of Bedfordshire, if this is approved.

“Is this a sufficient exceptional circumstance to breach our policy of not developing in the Green Belt?” he asked.

“On balance there probably is very special circumstance, at this point in history, and we should do our bit.

“The location isn’t a terrible one given that there’s one turbine and another to be built before Christmas. Some people are concerned about what happens in 35 years’ time, saying that it’s a Trojan horse for houses.

“But a condition, as with the sand quarry, says it will be restored to arable farmland. The one thing that’s missing is Section 106 contributions,” he added.

“It doesn’t have to be money, but some form of compensation for the rural communities giving up their countryside to help the greater county of Bedfordshire meet its targets. There’s a solar farm in Eggington which pays £5,000 a year for 20 years to the parish council. This solar array is one component of four.

“There are two wind turbines and they’ve done a pre-application consultation on an electric transport hub, basically a petrol station for electric cars and buses, which is a great idea.”

Independent Linslade councillor Victoria Harvey said: “This is a development that can effect very positively on Leighton Buzzard.

“Creating a wildflower meadow in this area has a dramatic benefit to nature. On ecology I feel very reassured.

“This is an amazing way to go forward towards a zero carbon economy and produce good transport for Leighton Buzzard.”

Conservative Dunstable Watling councillor Nigel Young said: “I’m supportive of the provision of renewable energy here. I

“I look forward to the applicant’s managing director Ian Foll talking to Arriva, which operates bus services in Dunstable, if the subsequent application for electric bus charging points is successful.”

But Independent Toddington councillor Mary Walsh moved to refuse the plans based around “the impact on landscape, biodiversity and ecology” and the lack of special circumstances for development in the Green Belt.

Councillors voted ten-three against this, before voting ten-three in favour of approving the solar farm, with a condition to strengthen the biodiversity.

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