Residents of Brailsford, Derbyshire, one of Britain's oldest villages, are fighting plans for a massive 132,000-panel solar farm they say would turn their homes into a 'prison'. The proposed Brailsford Solar Park, developed by British Solar Renewables (BSR), would cover nearly 300 acres (121 hectares) of agricultural land leased from the aristocratic Chichester family. With an 87 megawatt capacity, it would power over 16,000 homes, but three properties would be completely surrounded by 9ft-high fences, CCTV posts, and security towers monitoring 24/7.
Historic village under threat
Brailsford dates back to the Domesday Book in 1086, when it had a population of 24. Now, more than 70 locals packed the village golf club last month to voice opposition. James Hodson, 60, an accountant who bought a converted farmhouse in 1999, signed a contract to keep the area 'quiet and countrified'. He said: 'The access lane will be shut off... we'll have to drive through a half-a-mile to our home which will be like driving into a prison.' He fears the development will make his home unsellable: 'Our longer term plan was to downsize... that dream is gone now.'
Panels 25 metres from gardens
The nearest panels would be 25 metres from Hodson's home, with motion sensor lights that could trigger at any time. BSR plans to plant hedges, but Hodson noted they 'will take years to fully grow in, that won't benefit us.' Jennifer Smith, 58, an office manager who moved into a barn conversion in 2000, echoed the sentiment: 'It's going to be 132,000 panels... behind fences with 4.5m high posts for CCTV and speakers. It will have the feeling of living in a solar prison.'
Impact on farming and wildlife
Smith highlighted that tenant farmers on the estate, who have farmed ecologically for 34 years, would lose their livelihood. 'He doesn't cut his hay until July so that ground nesting birds can nest... If it goes through he will be kicked out and his livelihood ruined.' The land, leased to BSR, would generate income for the Chichester family, which Smith called 'a big golden carrot.'
Community opposition and timeline
Residents have until the end of this month to lodge objections with Derbyshire Dales District Council, which will rule later this year. If approved, construction would start in 2032, meaning Smith fears she cannot sell her home before then. 'It was never our intention to go anywhere... There's going to be a consequence in value.' She supports renewable energy but says it should be 'on roof tops or car parks, not on valuable green land.'
Carla Hardaker, development director at BSR, said the company is 'keen to work with the community' and carries out 'very robust surveys' to select appropriate sites. She added: 'We originate, develop, build and then operate and maintain all of our own projects... we recognise that we are going to be neighbours for typically 40 years.'
