Solar farm to go ahead on contaminated site?

A MAJOR plan for the construction of a solar farm on a former landfill site on the fringe of Warrington looks set to go ahead – even though chemical and radioactive materials are known to have been dumped there in the past.
The scheme involves a 25 hectare site on the Warrington-Widnes border, close to the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station.
The bulk of the scheme – including the solar farm itself – lies within Widnes and has already been approved by Halton Borough Council.
But Warrington’s development management committee deferred a decision a month ago because of fears about the underground chemical waste.
Now the committee is to consider the proposals again, following submission of extra information.
It is now known that work within Warrington will involve infilling to level the site and the planting of Willow trees to reduce rainfall infiltration into the landfill waste deep below the surface.
The Environment Agency, which has been involved in the scheme throughout, is raising no objections and, in fact, believe it will result in environmental benefits.
Chemicals and radioactive materials, including Thorium, radium and uranium, have been deposited on the site between the 1920s and 1991, when the site was closed.
The site has been investigated and monitored 10 times between 1990 and 2013.
The Environment Agency is satisfied there is no significant risk to human health from soil, water, vapour or radiological contamination of the site in its present condition.
The site is split by Johnson’s Lane – a rough track – and the area consists mainly of three plateaus and a ravine.  The solar farm – which will be entirely within Widnes, will produce renewable electricity obtained directly from the sun using photovoltaic technology. A fast response power plant will provide electricity to the local distribution network when demand outstrips supply.
This reactive plant can be fully operational within 40 seconds of being activated and would normally operate for very short periods during peak demand times.
On the Warrington section of the site, work will include reinstating a piped section of Johnson’s Brook, landscaping, drainage improvements and measures to minimise contamination of the watercourse from existing landfill.
The whole project is expected to take 36 months to complete.
Warrington councillor David Keane has objected to the proposals on the grounds that it will impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
He says: “This particular area of Green Belt is very narrow and separates the Warrington area from Widnes, thus avoiding urban sprawl. I believe that impact of this proposal will be harmful to the Green Belt and substantially detract from its purpose as a buffer thus substantially altering the nature and feel of the area.”
Planning officers admit the development is inappropriate in the Green Belt but say there are special circumstances which outweigh this, including   significant environmental benefits,  removing a threat to human health and limiting impact to controlled waters, along with the overall visual improvements of the site.
They are recommending the scheme be approved