A RENEWABLE energy firm wants to expand the life of a solar farm in Billericay by 14 years – but the plan is set to be resisted by Basildon Council.

Wirsol Energy has revealed plans to extend “operational phase two” of the solar farm on green belt land in Outwood Farm Road.

This would effectively extend consent for the solar farm from 26 to 40 years.

But Basildon Council planners are recommending refusal of the application because they believe it’s inappropriate use of the green belt.

The officer’s report states: “The application contains very little information to justify the increased presence of this ‘inappropriate development’ in this green belt location.

“The temporary nature of the proposal should only be given limited weight in the planning balance and the extended 40-year consent now sought is not considered to be a temporary period.

“The council takes the view the original 26 years given was a significant amount of time.

“It is considered that there are no very special circumstances to justify this significant increase in the life span of the solar farm, which would effectively result in a degree of permanence in the green belt countryside.”

The report says the facility was granted permission in 2014 and has partially been constructed, but not completed and began generating renewable energy on March 4, 2016.

The officer’s report adds: “As the development was by definition inappropriate development within the green belt, it was necessary for the applicant to demonstrate very special circumstances to override the normal presumption against such development.

“The benefits of producing a significant amount of renewable energy was balanced with the impacts on locality and in particular the landscape.”

Adam Adshead, Billericay town councillor for East Ward, said: “I agree with the concerns, this should not go ahead.

“It was meant to only be temporary and I am worried about it becoming a permanent part of the town. We need reassurances that the land goes back to green belt after the solar power is made. I agree renewable energy is the way to go, but this is not the way to go about it.”

The firm was contacted for comment.