Proposals for two solar farms submitted to Leicestershire councils

Plans for two significant solar energy installations in Leicestershire have been submitted. These projects collectively possess the potential to supply electricity to approximately 13,000 residences. One proposed site is located off High Cross Road, within Claybrooke Magna, and its footprint would be comparable to 53 football pitches. The second proposed installation is designated for Horse Leys Farm, situated east of Burton on the Wolds, a few miles from Loughborough, and would occupy an area equivalent to 30 football pitches. Given that these initiatives are in their preliminary phase, a timeline for the formal application procedure has not yet been established. Documentation pertaining to the High Cross Road project, originating from Third Revolution Projects, has been forwarded to Harborough District Council. These documents indicate that the proposed site, presently agricultural land, spans approximately 38.4 hectares and is projected to generate up to 30MW of power, an output roughly equivalent to supplying 8,000 homes for a period of 40 years. Furthermore, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the land would maintain “continued agricultural use” because the solar panels would be elevated above the ground. This initial phase constitutes a “screening opinion” rather than a formal planning application, signifying that the applicant seeks to ascertain if the project necessitates an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Burton on the Wolds proposal, submitted by agent Union 4 Planning on behalf of IBE Horse Leys, falls within the jurisdiction of Charnwood Borough Council. This project is at a comparable stage, where its developers are inquiring with the council about the requirement for further environmental assessments. Should it be constructed, this facility would be situated one and a half miles from a £35m solar farm located at Wymeswold Airfield, which was reportedly the largest in the UK upon its inauguration more than a decade ago. Union 4 acknowledges that the proposed solar farm, also anticipated to operate for 40 years, will exert a “significant” effect on “viewpoints close to the site,” but has committed to providing additional vegetation to alleviate this impact.