Plans for 57-acre solar panel farm for fields expected ‘shortly’
The land is currently in agricultural use and is a few hundred metres from Walton on the Wolds.
A 57-acre solar farm is in the works for land near a village, planning documents have revealed.
Grenergy Renewables UK says it intends to submit a planning application to Charnwood Borough Council to build the solar farm on land at Tithe Farm, on Nottingham Road, near Barrow upon Soar.
The company is first seeking advice from the council’s planning officers on whether extra environmental assessments must be included when the plans are submitted.
The land is currently in agricultural use and is a few hundred metres from Walton on the Wolds.
A covering letter from planning agent Energy Planning, accompanying the request, reads:
“It is the intention that the proposed development will be submitted as a full planning application shortly.”
“An attractive landscaping scheme” is promised, with the letter saying trees and hedges will be used to reduce the aesthetic impact of the development and improve on-site biodiversity. Several solar farms are in the works in Charnwood, including one between Hathern and Long Whatton, which was approved by the council earlier this year.
A 208-acre farm is also earmarked for land in the shadow of Beacon Hill.
The farm, which would be the size of 120 football pitches, spans land in both Charnwood and North West Leicestershire and is still waiting to be decided.
It was North West Leicestershire District Council’s most controversial planning application last year, with 271 people complaining about the scheme.