SCHEME WILL BE DECIDED NATIONALLY

INTELLIGENT Alternatives is yet to submit formal planning applications for the farms, with environmental impact assessment applications submitted in November.

One scheme, ‘Denby Farm’, would see a 148-acre solar farm, capable of generating 40 megawatts, built off Derby Road, just east of the Denby Pottery complex.

The second scheme, ‘Kidsley Park Farm’, would see a 180-acre solar farm, capable of generating 40 megawatts, built off Heanor Road, Smalley, covering fields between Heanor and the village.

Both sites would also include battery energy storage schemes, which would store energy for times of peak demand or urgent supply.

Reports submitted by the developers say the two schemes would be 500 metres apart, with a rejection of a potential negative cumulative impact.

UK law states that solar farms which would generate 50 megawatts or more of electricity need to be decided nationally by the Planning Inspectorate, instead of by local councils – with local councils instead becoming just one of many consultees.

Both the Denby and Smalley solar farms are individually under the threshold for this more lengthy, time-consuming and scrutinous national planning process, but combined would be over this threshold.

The developer says: “The site and its surroundings are considered to be generally appropriate for solar farm deployment and no significant cumulative effects and/or transboundary effects are anticipated.

“Aligned with national trends, the UK Government is concerned about the current living crisis and the urgent need to address climate change.

“As a result, the Government aims to reduce reliance on international fossil fuel imports and work towards a low carbon target. Consequently, Derbyshire is projected to witness an increase in the development of grid-connected renewable energy projects, as indicated in the Derbyshire Spatial Energy Study.”