APPROXIMATELY 160 ground mounted solar panels are set to be added to land next to a commercial restaurant after planning permission was granted by Cornwall Council.

It is part of a bid by the operators of The Bay View Inn, located in the North Cornwall beauty spot of Widemouth Bay to substantially reduce their annual electricity consumption and annual carbon emissions.

It is set to reduce the annual energy consumption of the business by 80,000 kilowatt hours (kwh) and there will also be a reduction in annual carbon emissions by an estimated 13,500 kilograms a year.

The applicant’s planning agent told Cornwall Council: “Mr Proudfoot has commissioned Solar Frames (South West) to apply for full planning permission for 160 ground mounted solar panels in a field to the east of the Bay View Inn. The Bay View Inn and campsite have a combined annual electric consumption of approximately 190,000kWh.

“The expected annual output of this proposed array is 80, 000kWh, reducing energy bills of the property considerably and reducing annual carbon emissions associated with the property by an estimated 13,500kg.

“The Bay View Inn is a commercial restaurant located in Widemouth Bay, north Cornwall. The proposed installation site is accessed off Marine Drive. The blue line boundary comprises the restaurant, ancillary buildings, campsite and several fields (CPH: 07/120/0196). The solar installation is proposed along the southern boundary of the field that lies to the east of the Bay View Inn.

“An agricultural building has been recently built in the south-eastern corner of this field (ref: PA24/02291). The location of the array has been carefully considered so it runs parallel to the hedgerow that lies to the south. The hedgerow is at least 1.5m high along its length.

“The hedgerow, in combination with the lay of the land, would screen most, if not all, of the array from Marine Drive and the South West Coast Path. The proposed array will not be visible from any Listed Buildings”

The application also detailed the proposed layout of the development, adding: “The proposed solar array comprises of 4 frames of 30 panels and 2 frames of 20 panels (total of 160 panels, with a maximum output of approximately 77.6kWp). The solar panels will be in double portrait orientation on a fixed angle frame of 30 degrees.

“The frames will be in a single line, as illustrated in the associated Block Plan. The line would measure approximately 91.6m long, 2m high and 3m deep. The frames are secured with ground anchors, a total of 44 would be required. Each ground anchor has a flat plate, measuring 27.5cm2 , which lies flat on the ground.

“Consequently, there is very little direct impact to the grassland; a total of 3.33m2 over the whole proposed development. No artificial light will be introduced to the site during or post installation. The closest part of the array will be at least 5 metres from the field boundaries.”

The applicant’s planning agent also detailed that the installation of the solar panels would lead to an improvement in sustainability. They continued: “The customer has commissioned this installation to reduce the substantial carbon footprint and energy bills associated with the commercial restaurant and buildings associated with The Bay View Inn.

“Generating solar electricity onsite is a sensible approach to heavily reducing their reliance on imported energy derived from non-renewable sources. No concrete is required during the construction process due to the use of the innovative ground anchor system.

“The metal frames are constructed of scaffolding poles and clamps, which can be easily dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life. The design allows for easy maintenance of the grassland below, either through grazing or mowing/strimming.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

In approving the application, Cornwall Council set an additional condition, specifically: “Within six months of the cessation of electricity generation by the solar PV panels hereby approved, the solar PV panels, frames and all associated equipment shall be permanently removed from the land and the site shall be restored to its original condition.”