PLANS are being studied for a solar farm on Green Belt land at Glazebury which would include underground cabling to Culcheth.
The proposals by Noventum Power Ltd, involve two agricultural fields at Duckinfield Farm, Hurst Lane, Glazebury.
The scheme would require the laying of an underground cable to Culcheth, crossing Jibcroft Brook and a number of fields before joining Fowley Common Lane and the A574 Warrington Road and then following Culcheth Hall Drive, Lodge Drive and Ellesmere Road to where it will link with an existing substation.
Access to the site would be via Hurst Lane, which also provides access to Hurst Hall Farm, a small residential development, Glazebury CE Primary School and Glazebury Cricket Club.
Larger construction vehicles would be able to access the site via level crossing on the nearby railway line, however.
Warrington Borough Council planners are currently considering an application by Noventum Power for an opinion on the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – a procedure which aims to give local councillors and the public an early opportunity to take part in the decision-making process.
The company’s view is that an EIA is not required. However, the Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service has warned about the possible impact on the Tudor origins of the adjacent Hurst Hall Farm.
The solar farm would consist of rows of solar panels, either fixed in place or tracking the movement of the sun. It would have an operational life of 40 years, after which it would be returned to agriculture. During its life, it would still be available for grazing sheep, the company says.
A public footpath crosses the site which would be subject to management measures to ensure the safety of users.
Landscaping would be carried out, including planting, to screen the solar farm from public viewpoints. Existing trees would be retained and enhanced. Minimal waste would be produced by the development and there would be unlikely to be any significant noise impact.
The company conclude the proposed development is unlikely to cause any significant environmental effects and it will not be necessary for its forthcoming planning application to be accompanied by an environmental statement.
