Objections to a solar farm four times the size of Abbey Fields will not be supported by Kenilworth Town Councillors.

KTC members chose not to side with their colleagues at Beausale, Haseley, Honiley and Wroxall Parish Council in objecting to building on the green belt.

Some councillors said Enso Energy's plan was a completely inappropriate use of green belt land, whilst the other council was accused of exaggerated its impact.

"Obviously the major problem here is the green belt, especially the size of this development," said Cllr Michael Coker at last Thursday's planning meeting.

"I think in itself that it is monstrous; it is a massive area and that comes out of the green belt."

A huge battery factory in the green belt at Coventry Airport was recently approved by Warwick District Council as it was deemed to be an extraordinary use of the land.

Cllr Rob Barry said the Honiley solar farm should fall into the same category.

"Green belt usage can only be justified under very special circumstances," he said.

"If I had the misfortune to be on that committee I would have to decide whether the climate crisis was actually a very special circumstance.

"If it isn't, it must be a very short list of things that are because to me that is number one special circumstance."

However, Cllr Andrew Milton clarified that special circumstances were for developments that "could not be built elsewhere."

"In terms of planning law the climate emergency is not something that can be considered a special issue because otherwise anyone could effectively build a solar farm in any bit of green belt anywhere," he added.

Cllr Coker proposed that KTC add a comment supporting the objection from Honiley's parish council.

But this was voted down by six votes to four with Cllr John Dearing raising concerns that the other council had exaggerated the size and the impact of the development in its objections.

"The inaccuracy with which the present their case means we as a council cannot support their objection," he said.

The council then voted to maintain its earlier position that: "Whilst having no reason to object, members commented that this is a large size development which will be visible from Kenilworth Castle."

This despite warnings from Cllr Alan Chalmers that: "If this gets through it will be extremely hard to stop similar developments with similar mitigating circumstances.

"I think it is a slippery slope.

"The climate emergency is being used as an emotional weapon. There are other sites which would be more suitable than taking up a huge piece of the green belt."

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