The Parish Council’s objection to application 25/01030/MAF for the installation of a 49.9MW solar array and a 15MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the site north of Northill Road, can be found below:
Cople Parish Council – Formal Objection to Planning Application 25/01030/MAF
Cople Parish Council submits the following formal objection to planning application 25/01030/MAF for the installation of a 49.9MW solar array and a 15MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the site north of Northill Road, Cople. This objection is based on a review of submitted documents, site-specific context, and material planning considerations under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030, and the Draft Cople Neighbourhood Plan which has been submitted to Bedford Borough Council for independent examination.
1. Inappropriate Landscape Impact and Visual Harm
The development is located within the 5E East Marston Clay Vale and 6B Wooded Greensand Ridge, sensitive landscapes characterised by expansive views across the vale to the Greensand Ridge, as documented in the Bedford Borough Landscape Character Assessment (2020) and recognised within the LVIA (CSA/7275/01).
While we acknowledge attempts at visual mitigation through extensive planting and with reference to the LVIA the Parish Council has the following conclusions:
● Long views across the Vale will experience residual adverse effects during the life of the development and beyond;
● The character of the rural landscape, including openness and tranquillity, will be fundamentally and permanently altered, due to the installation and the extensive planting which will remain in place after decommissioning
● Visual harm will be especially pronounced from Public Rights of Way including Bridleways 6 and 7
This is in conflict with:
● Policy 37 (Landscape Character) and Policy 36S (Forest of Marston Vale) of the Local Plan, which seek to conserve landscape character and promote appropriate afforestation;
● Cople Neighbourhood Plan Policy RC1 and NE1, which seek to preserve rural character and protect important landscape views.
Screening may mitigate visual intrusion in the longer term but will not address the short- and medium-term impact with solar panels, 3 m high weather stations, security fencing, CCTV cameras at a height of 2.5m, HV compound, BESS, inverters and transformers in installed the proposal will introduce an industrial character incompatible with our rural setting.
2. Disproportionate Scale and Loss of Agricultural Land
The proposal covers nearly 80 hectares of high-quality agricultural land—largely Grade 3a, more than one third of the site, and 3b—and represents a major intrusion into the open countryside.
This conflicts with:
● NPPF Paragraph 187: requiring protection of “the best and most versatile agricultural land”;
● Local Plan Policy 56 and Policy 57: which support solar development in principle but not where it leads to significant and irreversible loss of productive land without strong justification.
The scale of this scheme—effectively a large-scale industrial site—would urbanise a sensitive rural location.
Ongoing maintenance of the site is a concern and the Parish Council would want to understand the impact of any chemicals used for equipment maintenance and the potential for soil contamination if solar panels are damaged over the 40 year lifespan of the site.
The possibility of continuing the agricultural use of the site through grazing sheep is referenced several times in the Planning Supporting Statement. The Parish Council seeks clarity on whether this is a committed aspect of the proposal, its implantation timeline and whether it will be sustained in the longer term.
3. Highway Safety and Construction Traffic Risk
While the Transport Assessment suggests that impacts will be temporary, the construction phase will generate a significant number of HGV movements via Northill Road and other rural roads. These routes are unsuitable and this activity will pose a direct threat to:
● Road user safety, particularly given use by equestrians and cyclists (see Bridleways 13 and 7 and rural cycle routes),
● Local amenity and tranquillity, given proximity to homes, Sheerhatch Primary School, farms, and rural roads.
The Swept Path Analysis indicates tight manoeuvring even under ideal conditions, raising concerns about verge damage, congestion, and safety.
The Parish Council strongly requests a revised construction traffic route, and for any permission (if granted) to be conditioned on a Construction Traffic Management Plan approved in consultation with local residents, Sheerhatch Primary School and the Parish Council.
The Parish Council also seeks information about the anticipated disruption to the parish and the surrounding area during connection of the site to the existing power grid.
4. Inadequate Assessment of Glint and Glare
The Glint and Glare Study notes potential for reflections towards:
● Residential dwellings (five properties);
● Road users along Northill/Bedford Road;
● Aviation receptors including Cardington Airstrip and Old Warden Airfield.
While the report concludes that impacts are “low”, it relies heavily on future vegetation screening—which is not guaranteed to reach full maturity before impacts occur. Moreover, ground-floor reflections are mitigated, but upper-floor glare remains possible.
This raises significant amenity and safety concerns and undermines compliance with:
● Policy 57 (Renewable Energy – general impact);
● Policy NE1 and SD1 of the Neighbourhood Plan (protecting amenity and securing high-quality design).
5. Concerns about Noise and Fire and Safety
The Noise Impact Assessment shows that predicted BESS/inverter noise exceeds background levels by +6 dB at night, which may lead to an adverse effect under BS 4142. Although the report claims this scenario is conservative, it does not take into account typical ambient noise in such a quiet rural location, particularly during warmer months with open windows.
Due to concerns about lithium-ion battery risks (thermal runaway, toxic emissions) we request that an independent fire and safety assessment is carried out prior to determining the application and that the requirements of the local fire service are met. The Parish Council is particular concerned about this risk due to recent large fires in England including at a solar farm near Cirencester; a site that also combines solar panels with battery energy storage systems.
6. Biodiversity Net Gain – Unclear Delivery and Monitoring
The Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) report claims a net improvement in habitat units, but:
● No fully quantified BNG figure (e.g. 10%) is guaranteed in perpetuity;
● Ongoing maintenance and monitoring mechanisms are vague with a minimum duration of 30 years;
● Reliance on permissive paths and future planting does not substitute for the permanent loss of unspoiled open countryside.
● This weakens compliance with Policy NE2 and the Environment Act 2021, requiring 10%+ BNG and long-term stewardship.
The Parish Council wishes to:
● To be consulted on the production of the Habitat and Monitoring Plan and Biodiversity Gain Plan form.
● Extension of the minimum duration that habitats must be maintained for from 30 years to 40 years
● Ensure a plan exists for habitat maintenance during and post decommissioning.
7. Inadequate Decommissioning and Land Reinstatement Planning
While the Design and Access Statement refers to a 40-year operational lifespan and implies the land will be returned to agricultural use, no detailed Decommissioning and Restoration Plan has been submitted. Given the scale of the site (nearly 80 hectares) and its location in open countryside, this omission is unacceptable and undermines confidence in the long-term stewardship of the land
Concerns include:
● Lack of detail on the safe removal of panels, infrastructure, or BESS units.
● No assessment of the impact of traffic movements during decommissioning or a management strategy.
● No clarity on the removal of impermeable surfaces, buried cabling, or compaction reversal to restore full agricultural functionality.
If planning permission is granted, a condition should require a detailed, costed and enforceable decommissioning and restoration plan with
● Safe removal of all structures and materials
● Soil remediation and restoration of ecological habitats
● Post decommissioning and restoration monitoring and maintenance plan
● Access track removal
● A condition should require a detailed, costed and enforceable decommissioning and restoration plan with
The Parish Council requests assurance of financial risk assessment and bonded funding to guarantee decommissioning.
8. Inadequate Protection of Priority Species and Biodiversity Risk
The ecological assessments submitted with the application confirm the presence or habitat suitability for numerous protected and priority species, including a breeding population of viviparous lizards, foraging bats, hedgehogs, skylarks, brown hares, and a commuting otter. Ponds near the site are confirmed to be occupied by great crested newts.
While the applicant has identified potential impacts and proposed generic mitigation (e.g. exclusion zones, good working practice), no enforceable Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) has been submitted.
We strongly recommend that planning permission not be granted until:
● A detailed and enforceable LEMP and BNG Delivery Plan are secured,
● Full survey results (including breeding and wintering bird reports) are submitted,
● Species Mitigation Strategy and monitoring scheme are approved in consultation with an independent ecologist.
9. Conflict with the draft Cople Neighbourhood Plan
The proposal conflicts with multiple policies in the draft Cople Neighbourhood Plan (2024–2035). Key points of conflict include:
● Policy RC1 and NE1: due to the obstruction of protected views, introduction of large-scale infrastructure into an open clay vale, and the urbanisation of a tranquil rural landscape;
● Policy NE2: because of the absence of a secured Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) or measurable long-term BNG delivery;
● Sustainable Development Principles: because of the permanent loss of productive agricultural land and degradation of habitats and hedgerows;
● Policy TRW2: through construction-related risks to users of the parish’s rights of way network.
Therefore, the proposal fails to align with the community-led vision of sustainable, small-scale development that protects landscape, biodiversity, and amenity for Cople’s residents.
10. Lack of community engagement
Community engagement has felt rushed and confused. Little notice was given of the in-person consultation event, leaving minimal time available for discussion in a parish forum. The event caused confusion because attendees received varying answers to the same questions from different representatives.
A large part of the proposed site is in an adjoining parish, however Willington parish did not have had the same opportunities for liaison and delivery of information with respect to this consultation.
It is the Parish Council’s opinion that the applicant has not met the requirements of paragraph 137 of the NPPF with respect to community engagement with the local community.
11. Impact on Rights of Way
The Parish Council is concerned about the impact of the proposal on the rights of way with respect to noise and the loss of views of the landscape. Noise from the site will impact users during construction and once the site is operational.
If planning permission were to be granted the Parish Council wishes to be consulted on:
● the development of the new multi-user path
● future use of the multi-user path
● the impact of the construction phase, noise and traffic movements on access to the rights of way network and the rights of way.
Conclusion: Recommendation to Refuse
For the reasons laid out above above, Cople Parish Council strongly objects to this application and urges Bedford Borough Council to refuse planning permission on the basis of:
● Unacceptable adverse landscape and visual impacts
● Unsuitable road network and construction traffic risks
● Insufficient mitigation of glint, noise, and fire risk
● Loss of productive farmland
● Impact on rights of way
● Absence of a comprehensive, enforceable Decommissioning and Reinstatement Plan
Finally, this proposal would have a profound personal impact on the residents of Cople. The development site borders a tranquil, open landscape deeply valued by the community. Parishioners frequently walk and ride along the adjacent rights of way and observe wildlife in these fields. Introducing an industrial-scale solar facility of this size will irrevocably alter the visual and experiential character of this rural setting. It will generate long-term disruption during construction, increase traffic along small village roads, and introduce unfamiliar noise and glare into a quiet environment. The scale and proximity of this development directly conflicts with the wishes of the community, who seek to preserve the countryside and heritage of Cople for future generations. Two public meetings were organised by the Parish Council to provide a forum for residents to share their views on the initial consultation and then on the planning application. The views of the community, at the public meetings, were overwhelmingly negative.
The Parish Council is not opposed in principle to renewable energy, but the scale, location, and design of this proposal are incompatible with the landscape character and rural infrastructure of the parish. The Parish Council requests that the planning application is called into the Planning Committee and that a site visit is undertaken by the Committee members so that they can fully assess the proposed location.