Solar Farm Proposals Capable of Powering 1000 Homes Submitted

A solar farm capable of generating power for up to 1000 homes could be developed in Wrexham if planning proposals are approved.

Sirius SBC Renewals LLP has submitted proposals to develop a 5MWP solar farm on 10.3 hectares of agricultural land on to the east and west of Plas Bennion Road near Penycae. The proposed sites are allocated as a Green Barrier, with the areas surrounding the area used largely for grazing purposes.

The application notes that the development will provide ‘renewable low carbon electricity to the local distribution network for local businesses and homes’.

If proposals are successful the solar farm will generate enough power for 1000 homes in Wrexham and offset 2000 tonnes of CO2 every year – the equivalent of taking around 870 cars off the road.

During the development of the site a new entrance point will be created from Plas Bennion Road, with heavy goods vehicles travelling through the site during the construction.

It is anticipated that the solar farm will take approximately three months to construct and would have a lifespan of 25 years.

The application states that a consultation on the development has taken place in the neighbouring community, with letters posted to the clerks and community councillors of Cefn, Ruabon and Penycae. A public exhibition was also held at Splash Magic and flyers were distributed to 612 properties.

Overall 34 members of the public attended the exhibition with the applicants noting that the response to the proposals were generally positive. However concerns on access and traffic caused by the development were raised by some residents, particularly with regards to those travelling on Llangollen Road and Plas Bennion Road.

The application is one of several to have been submitted in recent months, with permission recently granted to develop a solar farm on land west of Delph Farm in Penycae. More recently Wrexham’s first solar farm in Legacy celebrated its official opening.