Greytown residents are keeping a watchful gaze on what will be the outcome of a solar farm pitched for the township, with the proposal bringing in 46 public submissions.
Far North Solar Farm’s application to build a 235-hectare solar farm along SH2, Bidwills Cutting and Moroa Rds was lodged in December last year to the South Wairarapa District Council.
It was publicly notified by the council in May this year and referred to the Environment Court last month.
The council has provided a report analysing the application and setting out planner advice. Because the proposal’s fate will be decided at the Environment Court, the council’s assessment does not include a recommendation on whether the proposal should be granted or declined.
The proposal seeks to construct a solar farm composed of 4,720 solar tables – made up of 321,160 panels – and associated structures covering 170 hectares.
The planner assessing the application on behalf of the council, Nicholas Pollard, noted that the council received a total of 46 submissions regarding the proposal. Out of those 46, three supported the proposal in whole, four supported it in part, and 39 submitters opposed the entire proposal.
