Plans for new solar farm between villages submitted

The developer said the project would help South Derbyshire Council achieve its carbon neutral targets

Plans to build a solar farm capable of powering more than 7,000 homes have been submitted.

Anesco Limited wants to build a 70-acre solar farm in agricultural fields off Knights Lane, between the Derbyshire villages of Bretby and Newton Solney.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the project, if approved, would provide 21 megawatts of electricity per year, enough to power 7,792 homes.

The planning application has been submitted to South Derbyshire District Council.

The solar farm would be built on agricultural land

If the plans are approved, the solar farm would be built across the road from the Knights Lodges of Bretby holiday site and close to Burton Golf Club.

According to the LDRS, the firm had previously said it aimed to have the scheme built by April 2029, with construction starting towards the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028.

The proposal is for the solar farm to remain in place for 40 years "unless there is a possibility of further extending the term with the local planning authority, which would be determined in the future".

The council will make a decision on the scheme in the next few months, the LDRS said.