A massive solar farm that could power more than 15,000 homes for 40 years is set to be built on Nottinghamshire greenbelt land. Farmland to the south of Gotham and the west of East Leake between Stocking Lane and Kegworth Road would be transformed into a vast solar farm if Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee follows a recommendation to approve the project on March 9.
The plans include the construction and operation of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays, a substation, inverter stations, security measures like fencing and CCTV, and site access. It is estimated the solar panels, located across 16 fields and spanning a total of 80.65 hectares, would generate approximately 49.9 megawatts of renewable energy, which is enough to power 15,200 homes annually.
The solar farm, if approved, would operate for 40 years and then be decommissioned so the land can return to its previous state, with only the substation and site access remaining permanently. The point of connection for the proposed development into the electricity grid would be through an overhead line which runs over the site.
Poll: Are you worried about the number of empty shops in Nottingham city centre?
The site is located entirely within an area of the Nottingham and Derby greenbelt. The solar farm would be accessed from Wood Lane, which is an unadopted road that connects the site to Kegworth Road to the north, and the junction of Kegworth Road would require widening with a temporary surface area to ensure larger construction vehicles could access the site.
The applicant, Renewable Energy Systems, expects the development would take “approximately six to nine months to complete" and once installed would only require infrequent visits for equipment maintenance or cleaning. Despite the prospective operator highlighting that the installation could be decommissioned in three to six months the project has experienced significant opposition from local councillors and parish councils.
The parish councils for West Leake, East Leake, Gotham, and Sutton Bonington have all objected to the proposals, citing what they saw as a harmful impact on the greenbelt and other concerns over security and its visual effect. During the planning process 159 objections and five letters of support, along with the submission of 165 additional identical letters of support, were received.
Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning officer, however, had a more positive outlook on the plan in comparison to the local parish councils and opposing ward councillors. The officer argued the positives of the scheme outweighed any potential harm to the greenbelt, which cannot be altered unless there are "very special circumstances".
In a report submitted ahead of councillors deciding on the project at the planning committee, the officer said: "It has been demonstrated that the proposed development complies with planning policy and there are significant benefits associated with its implementation. The environmental and technical reports that form part of the planning application demonstrate that there would be no unacceptable environmental impacts, and there are a number of added benefits, including habitat creation and biodiversity gains.
"The proposed development is located within the Green Belt and is considered to be inappropriate development. A very special circumstances report has been submitted, and it is considered that on balance, the very special circumstances clearly outweigh the harm caused by the inappropriate development and other harms."
Read next:
- New traders in as unique shop bounces back from liquidation
- Part of the city centre where a number of shops have closed
- Gym demolition in restoration of railway station with rich history
- Life in the Nottinghamshire village that is 'so unique' it attracts shoppers from across county
- 'Mid-range hotel' among calls for city's former Debenhams building
