Proposals To Develop Solar Farm In Wrexham Granted

Proposals to develop a solar farm capable of powering over 1000 homes were last night approved by councillors. 

Members of Wrexham’s Planning Committee last night unanimously passed proposals for the development of a solar farm on land west of Delph Farm in Penycae.

Initial plans for the development of a solar farm were put forward in February 2015 and consist of a 5MW solar farm, which would be capable of generating enough power for 1,300 homes.

Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd (Lightsource), the company behind the application stated in the initial application that the development will: “Avoid 2200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity generation each year, thus reducing the carbon footprint of Cefn and Pen-y-Cae. This is the equivalent of 500 cars off the road.”

Speaking about the proposals, Planning Officer David Williams said the application had been a number put forward in recent months for solar farms. Mr Williams added that schemes such as these are generally supported unless ‘there is significant risk of detrimental impact’ on the landscape.

The committee was told that there would be very little traffic, if any generated as a result of the development – with only four HGV vehicles expected to be travel to the site during the initial construction period.

Currently the land is used for sheep grazing, however the new site will provide a dual productive function that would allow for sheep grazing to continue.

The planning proposals note: “The solar panels will be mounted in groups taking into account the form of the
existing field parcels. The solar panels will be mounted on frames no higher than 2.2 metres with the panels facing south.

“A total of 10 buildings are proposed on the site, with the majority located adjacent to the proposed access. None of these buildings would exceed 5 metres by 6 metres, and they are single storey.”