The Billericay solar farm project is nearing approval after overcoming past objections, promising renewable energy for thousands of homes.
But here’s the twist: they appealed, and the government planning inspector said, “Go for it!” They figured that boosting renewable energy for Basildon, enough to power about 12,500 homes, was worth it. Since then, things have been pretty quiet, but now Boom Power is looking to make some changes to the plans. They want to enlarge the generator substation, which could finally kick off the construction.
However, not everyone is on board. Stuart Allen, a Tory councillor, is pretty vocal about his concerns. He thinks the solar farm will ruin the character of the area. He’s saying that most people won’t be happy with these plans and believes they should push back against the changes. He feels that the land should be used for farming, not solar panels.
Council officers have chimed in, saying the proposed changes shouldn’t harm the green belt or cause new issues for neighbors. Back in September 2023, Mark Hogan, the founder of Boom Power, expressed his excitement about the appeal decision. He emphasized that they want their projects to blend well with nature and help in the fight against climate change. Crays Hall is a key project for them, and they’re eager to see it contribute to a greener future.
