Petition to fight plans for 330-acre solar farm at beauty spot near Dudley

A petition has been launched against plans for a 330-acre solar farm on fields around a popular beauty spot on the edge of the Black Country.

Qualitas Energy wants to install solar panels in 14 farmer’s fields surrounding Highgate Common, near Dudley, and will this afternoon (Tuesday) hold an exhibition outlining the plans to the public.

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But Councillor Sean Massey, who represents Himley and Swindon ward on South Staffordshire Council, said it would have a devastating impact on the countryside and would compromise a number of historically significant sites.

He has now launched an online petition, which has attracted almost 200 signatures in its first three days.

The scheme, called Fraxinus Solar Farm would cover a total of 18 fields, totalling 440 acres, although only 14 fields - 330 acres - would have solar panels in them.

The company says the development will produce enough energy to power 16,200 homes, sufficient to power every home in Kingswinford, Wall Heath and part of Wordsley.

But Councillor Massey said: “The proposal entails a massive development that will disrupt our cherished Green Belt—a 60MW solar farm covering 440 acres of green belt land with ground-mounted solar panels, towering substations, and security infrastructure. This project threatens not just the natural beauty of our area but also the community's character and spirit.

“While renewable energy is vital for our planet's future, it is imperative that such developments are appropriately sited. We cannot sacrifice irreplaceable green spaces and our rural heritage in the name of progress. There are alternative locations beyond green-belt land that could house this facility without compromising our environment.”

Councillor Massey’s petition can be viewed on the website: change.org/p/stop-the-60mw-440-acre-greensforge-solar-farm-in-south-staffordshire-green-belt