Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has welcomed Fylde Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed solar farm on land between Staining and Poulton.
The application from Boom Power, which sought permission for a 40MW solar farm, battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure on farmland between the two villages, has been refused by Council planning officers who have confirmed that the application does not need to go before the planning committee.
Earlier this year, Andrew Snowden hosted a public meeting at Staining Village Hall, attended by around 80 local residents, alongside County Councillor John Singleton. The meeting gave residents the opportunity to raise concerns about the proposals and receive advice on how to submit formal representations to the planning authority.
Andrew Snowden MP said:
"This is fantastic news for Staining and everyone who worked so hard to make their voices heard. I would like to thank every resident who took the time to submit an objection or support the campaign. The strength of feeling within the community was impossible to ignore.
"I was proud to stand alongside local residents by submitting my own objection to the application. While renewable energy has an important role to play, developments must be in the right place. I could not support the loss of productive agricultural land for a development of this scale, particularly when there is already more solar generation seeking to connect to the electricity grid than there is available capacity.
"This decision shows that when communities come together and engage with the planning process, their voices can make a real difference."
County Councillor John Singleton said:
"This is a very welcome outcome for Staining. Residents came together in huge numbers to raise genuine planning concerns about this proposal, and they should be proud that their voices have been heard.
"I'd like to thank everyone who supported the campaign, particularly those who attended the public meeting and took the time to submit detailed objections. It demonstrates the value of local people engaging with the planning process."
Andrew Snowden also paid tribute to local campaigners Ian and June Taylor, whose efforts helped organise the community response and the public meeting held earlier this year.
Although the application has now been refused, Andrew said he would continue to monitor the situation closely should any appeal or revised application be submitted.
