Disappointment as Appeal for TATA Solar Farm Upheld – No Safeguards for Community Impact
Local Councillors and residents have expressed deep concern following the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to uphold TATA’s appeal for a large-scale solar farm development at the Winnington Lime Beds site—without any enforceable recommendations or conditions to mitigate the impact on surrounding communities.
The development will involve over 200 HGV movements per day for a period of five years, placing immense pressure on an already fragile local highway network. Key pinch points including Winnington Bridge, Barnton Bridge, and the swing bridges in Northwich town centre are already struggling with existing traffic levels and are not designed to accommodate the additional industrial load.
“This is not about opposing renewable energy—it’s about planning responsibly,” said Cllr Lynn Gibbon, Marbury Ward and Shadow Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Inclusion.
“We are extremely disappointed that the Inspector has allowed this development to proceed with no conditions or mitigation for the very real and serious traffic, safety, and environmental impacts our communities will now face.”
Concerns raised during the appeal included:
• The lack of transport mitigation, such as alternative routing or bridge improvements.
• The absence of any planning gain to offset the five-year disruption to local lives.
• The cumulative impact on air quality, road safety, and congestion across Northwich.
Esther McVey MP, community groups, parish councils, residents and Cheshire West and Chester councillors, submitted numerous objections during the appeal process, highlighting the unsuitability of the proposed traffic volumes on key local routes and heritage infrastructure.
“This decision leaves us with all of the risk and none of the protection,” added Cllr Lynn Gibbon Marbury Ward “The Inspectorate had the opportunity to insist on safeguards. They chose not to.”
Local representatives will now be seeking urgent meetings with the council and the developer to press for:
• Transparent traffic management plans
• Real-time impact monitoring
• Clear public accountability
While the decision cannot be overturned, community leaders remain committed to holding the developer to account and minimising disruption and harm wherever possible.
