The controversial 10 MW solar farm development planned for a location on the Castlereagh Highway, approximately five kilometres south-east of the Mudgee CBD has been rejected.
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The panel, which consisted of Chair Gary Fielding, Sandra Hutton, Clare Brown, Russell Holden and John Bentley was unanimous in its decision.
The panel listed several reasons for rejecting the development when it handed down its decision which took place on December 21. First was that it was unlikely that it would 'conserve the significant visual elements that contribute to Mudgee's setting through the rural character existing along the entrance to town along the Castlereagh Highway.
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Second was that the development wouldn't guarantee the availability of land for 'intensive plant agriculture'. Third, that the development's visual impact was too great given its location and despite the planned mitigation measures. And finally, the site's 'high visibility and flat topography' were considered unsuitable given its location as part of the entrance into town.
A Mudgee Guardian poll conducted at the time of the original development application asking whether people would support a solar farm saw 384 respondents vote, with the majority voting that they would support a solar farm in Mudgee, but only if it was in the right spot with 44.01 per cent of the vote. Other responses were: 'Yes no matter what' with 32.55 per cent, 'No, no matter what' with 21.09 per cent and 'I don't care wither way' with 2.34 per cent.
Also revealed in the report was that there were 377 submissions received in opposition to the development.
More to come.
