Northampton solar farm recommended for approval
If approved, the site would supply renewable energy to the local grid
Plans to build a large solar site on farmland just outside Northampton are set for approval.
The 78-acre site, which is set in a large field, is located near the village of Preston Deanery and around 200 metres south of the Brackmills Industrial estate. If approved, the solar farm would contain 48,802 panels, 10 power stations, and a grid connection point.
According to the plans, this would generate approximately 26.597 megawatts of electricity.
The proposals will go before West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) strategic planning committee at a meeting on Tuesday, July 14. Though planning officers have recommended that the committee grant permission, it will be down to councillors to weigh up the benefits and harms of the scheme and decide whether it should be allowed.
Just one objection from a member of the public has been submitted to the scheme, questioning whether a badger survey had been undertaken on the fields.
The applicant, Grange Farm Partnership, said: “The proposal would provide a clean, renewable and sustainable form of electricity. This is a public benefit which should be afforded significant weight in the planning balance.
“Gain would be provided through the generation of local electricity that would be connected directly to the local grid, with the proposals reducing reliance upon overseas energy sources in line with government directives.”
It also said the development would provide employment and opportunities for local businesses contracted to build out the site during construction.
Officers said the site would deliver a significant renewable energy scheme which would make a meaningful contribution towards national and local objectives, improve energy security and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Whilst the proposal would result in localised landscape and visual harm and the temporary loss of agricultural land from crop production, these impacts are not considered to be unacceptable and can be appropriately mitigated,” the report added.
“When weighed against the substantial public benefits arising from the generation of renewable energy, biodiversity enhancements and the contribution towards achieving national net zero objectives, officers conclude that the benefits of the proposal decisively outweigh the identified harms.”
The report also highlights a time-limit condition on the use of the field, stating that permission for the site to be used as a solar farm will expire 40 years after electricity is first exported to the grid.
WNC’s strategic planning committee will meet at 2pm on July 14 at the Towcester Forum to determine the application.