Community-owned solar farm plan approved

The scheme will connect the solar array to a substation on Blackburn Road

A community-owned solar farm is set to be built by the end of next year.

The scheme is for a parcel of land at Coach Road Meadow in Coach Road, Church, and has been approved by Hyndburn Council's planning committee.

Councillors said concerns about the project on 2.31 hectares (6 acres) of land – owned by Prospects Community Energy Ltd – from nearby residents in Hill Street had been addressed.

The scheme will connect the solar array to a substation on Blackburn Road.

It will supply electricity to the grid with a further connection to power the William Blythe Ltd chemical plant to the north side of the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

The scheme is for a parcel of land at Coach Road Meadow in Coach Road, Church

Philip Vincent-Barwood from Prospects Community Energy Ltd said the charity hoped to complete the project in 2025.

Hyndburn Council Conservative group leader, Councillor Zak Khan said: “There is certainly no reason to refuse this application.

“It will put Hyndburn in the forefront of the green revolution and renewable energy generation.”

Peel ward’s councillor Clare Pritchard said: “I support this application. It is something we need more of in the borough.”

Her Overton ward Labour colleague, Councillor Scott Brerton said: “This is a very, very positive development.”

Planning officer Adam Birkett told the meeting: “The development would also result in a net gain in biodiversity meaning that the habitats for wildlife would be left in a measurably better state than they were before.”