The public inquiry following the refusal of planning permission by Hertsmere for the 130-hectare solar farm by Aldenham will begin next week.

Conducted by the Planning Inspector it will open on Wednesday 19 October and will consider the key issues of the case, including the appeal statement and planning committee report. The documents can be viewed here.

The application for the construction and operation for 35 years of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic farm with battery storage and other ancillary infrastructure was submitted at the beginning of last year by Elstree Green Limited.

Following a six-week public consultation and extensive campaigning by Stop the solar plant, more than 1500 objections were submitted,and the application was refused permission last year.  

The inquiry will be live streamed on Hertsmere's portal.