Eclipse Planning Services achieved planning permission for a ground mounted solar farm to meet part of the Harris Garrad Academy’s (formerly Bexley Business Academy) energy demands and an Eco Centre; the first of its kind at the time in any UK school.

The proposal raised planning issues around the principle of development given the sites designation as Metropolitan Open Land; impacts on the character and appearance of the area including on the landscape and visual amenity; impacts on flood risk, nature conservation and biodiversity, the historic environment, highways, access and transport issues.

Eclipse Planning Services successfully demonstrated that there were ‘very special circumstances’ related to the need for the development, the positive benefits associated with the generation of renewable energy, environmental, economic, educational and social benefits which outweighed the policy objection to inappropriate development in Metropolitan Open Land.