The East Herts Council Development Management Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025, to consider planning applications, including a solar farm and a mixed-use development with a hotel. The meeting will also cover standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

Solar Farm near Ware

The committee will consider planning application 3/24/1275/FUL for the construction and operation of a solar farm on land to the west of Ware, at Ware Park Farm, Hertfordshire. The proposed development includes a 24MW solar farm, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and associated infrastructure.

The application site is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt and an area of archaeological potential. According to the Planning Applications for Consideration by the Committee report, underground cabling is required to connect the solar farm to the nearby Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) site, which will use the renewable energy generated. Excess energy will be exported to the local electricity network.

Key issues to be considered include:

• The provision of renewable energy, in light of the council's climate emergency declaration.
• The acceptability of the location, given that the site is in the green belt.
• Landscape and visual impact.
• Economic benefits.
• Transport, noise and health and safety considerations.

The report notes that 51 responses have been received, with 39 in support and 12 in objection. Supporters say that the solar farm would make productive use of the land, create renewable energy and improve biodiversity. Those objecting raised concerns about the loss of green belt land, adverse landscape impact and potential noise.

The Planning Application ref 3241275FUL report recommends that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Goods Yard, Bishop's Stortford

The committee will also consider planning application 3/24/1707/FUL for the construction of a mixed-use building at Goods Yard, Station Road, Bishop's Stortford. The proposal includes commercial floorspace (Use Class E) and a 92-room hotel (Use Class C1), as well as improvements to the Bishop's Stortford transport interchange and associated landscaping.

According to the Planning Applications for Consideration by the Committee report, the key issues for consideration include:

• Compliance with the East Herts District Plan, the Bishop's Stortford Neighbourhood Plan, the Town Centre Planning Framework and the Refined Goods Yard Master Plan.
• The amount of development and mix of uses.
• The layout, scale, density, landscaping and design, and its impact on the character of the area.
• The impact on the occupiers of existing dwellings adjacent to the site.
• Highway safety and connectivity.
• Car and cycle parking.
• Flood mitigation and drainage.

The 3241707FUL - Bishops Stortford Goodsyard report recommends that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

One objection has been received from the Silver Spoon Company, operators of Allison Flour Mill, regarding the impact of noise from the mill on the proposed hotel. Another objection raises concern that the proposed development leaves inadequate provision for bus services.

Other Agenda Items

The committee will also consider the minutes from the meeting held on 13 August 2025¹.