Shedding light on huge solar farm planned for the borough
New 200-acre development has ‘potential for wildlife corridors’
This aims to address the local and national renewable energy targets and ultimately reduce the reliance on fossil fuelbased sources as a form of energy production
A HUGE solar farm is planned next to the A46 near Loughborough.
Nearly 200 acres of farmland have been earmarked for the green energy project that could potentially power thousands of homes.
Infraland and the Barber Farm Partnership have lodged documents with Charnwood Borough Council setting out the scheme on a large area of agricultural land near Chestnut Farm in Cossington.
If approved by the council, the solar farm would sit either side of the A46 between the village and Syston.
The developers said: “Through the utilisation of sunlight, the facility will renewably generate energy for distribution onto the National Grid.
“This aims to address the local and national renewable energy targets and ultimately reduce the reliance on fossil fuel-based sources as a form of energy production.
“With the facility’s capacity, it has the capability of generating up to 30MW of electricity.
“The proposed development therefore provides a step towards the transition to a low carbon National Grid.”
They added: “The proposed development will also provide biodiversity enhancements through wildflower planting on site.
“There is the potential to include further biodiversity enhancements though the creation of wildlife corridors and the possible installation of bat and owl boxes, bee hotels, woodpiles, and beehives.”
The area could also still be used for sheep grazing among and under thousands of elevated solar panels.
It is estimated the solar farm would be in place for 30 years and then be decommissioned.
The proposal comes as planners in neighbouring Melton borough have been asked to consider a similar-sized solar park intended to power 15,000 homes over four decades.
Green Farm Solar Ltd wants planning permission for its scheme at land near Barkestone-le-Vale.
It estimates its project could prevent the emission of some 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by generating electricity from a renewable source.
Both councils are currently assessing the solar proposals.