PROPOSALS for a 58 hectare 'eco park' in North Tawton have taken a step closer to becoming a reality, after plans have been submitted for the development.

The proposal for the eco park, on land adjacent to the Taw Valley Creamery, would see the land developed for the generation of renewable energy.

It would comprise a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system alongside recreational facilities.

The developer behind the proposals, Kinetica Solar, claims that the project will have a capacity up to 23 megawatts, providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of 20,000 homes.

The site consists of four agricultural fields currently in use for arable crop production.

It forms part of a 92 hectare block of land at the Barton, under management by a tenant farmer.

In its application, Kinetica states that it hopes the park would provide recreational and educational opportunities for residents and tourists, generate renewable energy with the PV array, and enhance the area's biodiversity through the creation of new habitats.

In a statement, Kinetica Solar said: 'The North Tawton solar park will offer biodiversity benefits via a habitat improvement plan for local species, and a mitigation plan to preserve cultural assets.

'It will also re-establish over 1,800 metres of hedgerow and offer a carbon reduction totalling 22,500 tonnes to a local industrial consumer.

'In addition, the scheme will generate £1.98-million of local business rates.

'Furthermore, unlike other necessary infrastructure projects such as housing or transport schemes, there will be a decommissioning system to return the land to its original use.

'Given the growing urgency for the UK to meet more of its own energy needs without relying upon foreign fossil fuel imports, the need for renewable projects of this type, has never been greater.'

The Campaign for Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has raised concerns about how the solar panels will affect the views of the site from Dartmoor.

Dr Philip Bratby, renewable spokesperson for Campaign for Protection of Rural England (Devon), said: 'The proposed "eco-park" – power station in normal parlance – would, by far, be the largest solar farm in Devon and would have a huge adverse impact on the landscape.

'It would industrialise a large area of high grade farmland. There is no need for the proposal as the Government has stated that its renewable energy target for 2020 has already been met.

'The proposal, to industrialise 140 acres of high quality farmland, goes against the current government planning policies, guidance, solar strategy and ministerial statements, which all say that large solar scheme should use brownfield sites or be on industrial and commercial roofs.'

Despite objections from the CPRE, Kinetica Solar states that following two public exhibitions on the solar park, the 'majority of respondents who completed the feedback forms during the exhibitions expressed their support for the proposed development'.

The solar panels would cover around 25% of the site, with the remainder to be actively managed by grazing. Each array would be 2.23 metres high at their highest point, and 0.8 metres at the front.

An integral element of the scheme is the provision of a community shelter building to be installed in the north west of the site, close to existing public access and within a newly created woodland area.

It is envisaged that this building will be sited along a circular permissive path with a range of interpretation boards with information on wildlife, renewable energy and the historic environment.

The solar panels would be in place for 30 years. After that date, the land would be returned to its current state.

The height of the panels would allow the land to still be used for grazing by sheep.

The eco park planning application was lodged with West Devon Borough Council's planning committee on October 6. The council has 13 weeks from this date to make a decision.

The planning application can be viewed on the planning section of West Devon Borough Council's website, application number 01132/2014.

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