Decision on solar-powered car charging station scheme near Uckfield deferred

On Thursday (December 17), Wealden District Council planners met to consider an application seeking permission to build a solar farm and electric vehicle (EV) charging facility on land off of the A22 near Uckfield, to the south of Copwood Farm.

The proposed facility would provide 24 EV charging points on its forecourt, with a two-storey service station with facilities where customers could wait for their vehicles to charge. 

It would also have a large solar farm – which applicants say would be capable of producing 5.5mw of power – with battery storage behind. 

While the scheme had initially been recommended for approval, the committee heard the officers’ position had changed as more details were required by East Sussex Highways.

The council’s head of planning Stacey Robbins said: “The reasons are set out in the papers, but essentially we have been unable to receive a positive conclusion from the highway authority from colleagues at the county council.

“We were expecting additional material from the applicants and their technical advisors. We had that material but it was received later than expected and, despite their best endeavours, county colleagues have been unable to supply the committee with their updated position. 

“In light of that and because, as members will have read, a common issue or thread in all the representations is a concern in regard to highway safety, we feel we have no option but to defer the application to a future committee in the new year.

“In between we will be meeting the applicants and their advisors together with colleagues at the county council to bottom out the position with regards to the access and this issue to do with pedestrian safety.”

The committee moved immediately to the vote and agreed to defer the scheme.

It is expected to return for discussion in the new year, with the next committee meeting scheduled for January 14. 

For further information see application reference WD/2020/1244/MAJ on the Wealden District Council website.