Plans for 1,520 solar panels near Umberleigh

An animal feed company has applied to put 1,520 solar panels in a field behind its mill in North Devon.

Its request for planning permission is part of plans by NWF Agriculture at Wixland Mill, Atherington near Umberleigh to become new zero by 2040 and cut costs.

The company manufactures animal feeds for cattle and sheep and has been in operation since 1971. It is one of four of its feed operations and owned by the NWF Group plc.

The solar panels will be located off Wixland Farm Road from Bonds Farm to Andrews Park in the perimeters of the business.

North Devon Council’s sustainability officer said the location is of ‘negligible value to protected species and the proposed development is unlikely to impact on any sensitive habitats’.

However, reptile surveys would need to be carried out before the solar panels are installed, and landscaping plans would need to be agreed with the council.

The police recommend that a security fence be installed with an intrusion detection system as they said solar installations tend to be vulnerable to attack by criminals.

The planning application will be decided by North Devon Council at a future date.