An energy company has forced through its plans for a new solar farm between Kenilworth and Balsall Common after councillors initially refused to grant planning permission.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee threw out the scheme in February 2024 as objectors said applicant Exagen was squeezing farmers out of the local community.

The second half of the application - which was split across two local authorities - was then refused by Warwick District Council which said it would harm the green belt.

But a planning inspector has accepted an appeal to allow 'Holly Lane Energy Park' to be built across 10 arable fields over two parcels of land near the A452.

With permission to be installed for 40 years, the development will cover 52 hectares and reportedly produce enough energy to power up to 11,000 homes.

While the planning inspector accepted the development would cause harm to the green belt, in his report he said this was justified.

"More locally, both Solihull and Warwick local authorities have declared climate emergencies and are seeking to become carbon neutral," the report explained.

"There are similar objectives in the greater West Midlands area.

"It is not disputed that the authorities are falling well behind in their renewable energy targets.

"This solar and storage proposal would assist in progressing towards those targets."

The energy park will be built over two parcels of land (image via planning application)

In its application Exagen estimated it would take up to six months to build the 28MW energy park, requiring up to 60 workers on site.

The company said the solar panels would produce enough energy to power up to 11,000 homes per year and "displace approximately 12,600 tonnes of CO2 per annum".

The inspector's report added: "Taking the scheme as a whole it is my unequivocal judgement that the considerations in favour of the development clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, and the other limited harm identified."

When the SMBC application was refused in February 2024 a public speaker talking "on behalf of local farmers" implored members to block the scheme.

"Continued development of the green belt is squeezing us out," said Marian Keeling.

"Last year we lost a tenant farmer who had land just over the boundary where Warwick District Council have approved the Honiley solar farm. He produced beef for the domestic food chain. 

"We have also just lost another tenant farmer at Berkswell where the HS2 site has not helped his cheese producing business."

She added: "This country's food security is just as vital as energy security. As an island nation we cannot afford to ignore that."

See the full application to WDC here and the SMBC application here.