Shropshire Council has rejected plans for a solar farm in a village south of Oswestry, including for any future impact on archaeology.

Plans for the installation of a 1108KW ground-mounted solar array and all associated works at Tramway Farm, in Long Lane, Crickheath were submitted to Shropshire Council in July last year.

A planning and access statement from Roger Parry & Partners, on behalf of applicant RK Bowker, said the application was driven by a need for extra energy and farm diversification.

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However, Shropshire Council planning officer Mark Perry rejected the application on the grounds of insufficient information.

In his report, he said: “Insufficient information has been provided with the application, in the form of a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to enable the planning authority to be able to fully consider the likely impact of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area and whether areas of mitigation are required.

“The proposed development site is considered to have moderate-high archaeological potential.

“No information has been submitted with the application, in the form of an archaeological assessment and field evaluation, to allow the local planning authority to fully consider the proposal and whether there would be any likely archaeological implications.

“This application seeks full planning permission for a 1108 kw ground mounted solar array.

“The submitted site plan indicates that the panels would be arranged across 17 rows or varying lengths.

“There would be a gap of 7.5m between each of the rows. The plans submitted indicate that the panels would have a maximum height of 2m and would be secured to the ground using shallow 1.2m piles driven into the ground.

“The submitted Design and Access Statement also details that the scheme involves inverters, transformers and grid connection cabinets.

“However, no details of these other than the grid connection have been provided to detail their appearance, size and location other than the limited description given in the statement or how/ where the development would connect to the grid.”

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The application did receive support from Oswestry Rural Parish Council for the benefits of sustainable renewable energy.

However, it also received six objections from the public over issues such as impact upon the nearby Montgomery Canal, visual impact, loss of woodland and a lack of power lines to connect to the grid, among others.

Mr Perry added that alternative agricultural provision land was also not identified.