Solar Power Car Charging Station Proposed For East Sussex

Proposals to bring a solar-powered car charging station to Wealden are set to go before planners later this week.

On Thursday (March 4), Wealden District Council planning committee north is set 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 application had originally been due to go before planners in December, but the scheme was indefinitely deferred due to concerns from East Sussex Highways, which planning officers say have now been resolved.

In a report to the committee, a Wealden planning officer said:

“The design of the proposed building is considered exceptional; it would contribute to the modern forward looking nature of this development that will both generate electricity to enable the function of fast charge sites which are currently not on offer within the district due to the nature of the electricity grid in this area. 

“The development would enable both local residents and local business and fleet drivers on the network to transition to electric vehicles.

“Given the sensitivity of the Ashdown Forest to changes in soil acidity, that is a by-product of both petrol and diesel cars, the development would also help to improve the status of this European site.”

The officer added:

“The benefits of renewable energy provision, energy security and reduction in carbon emissions and the enabling of a transition for the use of electric vehicles are significant. 

“They outweigh the moderate harmful localised visual impact on the undesignated landscape. In addition the effects upon residential amenity and short period of disruption during site set up are considered to be within the tolerances of relevant policies.”

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 recommended for approval, the scheme has seen some opposition from local residents. 

Many of the objectors raise concerns about highways safety and traffic issues. Others argue it is the wrong place for such a facility, as it is open countryside where there are no long distance routes nearby.

Notably, however, the proposals have also seen some support from local residents as well. According to planning documents there were eight letters of objection and seven letters of support. 

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