Plans for large solar farm near former colliery

Developers say the farm would produce energy to power more than 7,500 homes a year

Plans for a new large solar farm near a former colliery in Leicestershire have been revealed.

Developers said the 76-acre site on fields off Heath Road, in Bagworth, and Merrylees Road, in Thornton, near Desford Colliery, would produce energy to power more than 7,500 homes a year.

The planning application submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said a consultation exercise had found feedback was positive but concerns had been raised about farming land being lost.

If approved, construction would take about 24 weeks and the farm would be operational for up to 40 years.

The site across three fields is situated near Bagworth Heath Woods - a country park that previously formed part of Desford Colliery but is now made up of woodland, grassland, heathland, lakes and ponds, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Feedback invited

Planning documents submitted by Renewable Connections Development said dioversity at the farm would be boosted by barn owl boxes, bird nesting boxes, beehives, log piles and small, buried rubble piles for reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The company said a four-week public consultation held earlier this year revealed concerns over arable land being lost and construction traffic.

However, people acknowledged the need for renewable energy and the biodiversity proposals.

The site is in an area with 13 other solar farms, arrays, renewable energy stations, wind turbines and clay works.

People are able to submit views on the plans on the council's website until 28 August.