Solar farm plan gets the go-ahead

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have cleared the way for a major solar farm on a former landfill site on the fringe of the borough.
The site at Johnson’s Lane, Widnes has been used for dumping chemical and radioactive materials in the past – but members of Warrington’s development management committee were assured there was no significant risk.
Cllr Sheila Woodyatt said: “In fact, this is a planning gain. As it is, the site is an eyesore and it will be much improved.
“There is even to be CCTV to protect against trespass.”
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 was approved by Halton Borough Council some time ago.
Warrington deferred a decision a month ago because of fears about the underground chemical waste but following the submission of extra information they have now approved it.
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, were 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.
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.
Planning officers admitted the development was inappropriate in the Green Belt but said 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.