Significant Iron Age find changes solar farm plans

Image caption, Planned solar farm altered after "significant" Iron Age feature discovered
At a glance
  • An Iron Age archeological find means plans for an approved solar farm site need to be changed
  • Developers hope to progress with the site, near Bedford, by excluding the protected area
  • If new plans are approved they hope to add two short rows of panels elsewhere within the development to compensate for the change
  • Author, John Guinn
  • Role, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A "significant" archeological discovery has been found at a site earmarked for a solar farm.

The discovery of the Iron Age feature, near Bedford, was found during an archaeological evaluation ahead of the development getting under way.

Identified as an area of "significant archaeological interest", the applicants are planning to exclude the protected area from on land north of College Farm, Green Lane, Clapham.

They hope to compensate for this change by installing solar panels elsewhere within the planning boundaries.

If approved, two short rows of panels will be added in the western half of the area.

After the original proposals were granted by Bedford Borough Council in January, the new overall plan needs to be agreed by Monday 20 November.