Lark Energy submits £35m solar farm plan for Leicestershire

Plans for a £35m solar project on a 150-acre site near Loughborough in Leicestershire have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.

Lark Energy wants to put the solar panels, which would produce enough power for 6,000 homes, on Wymeswold Airfield, near Loughborough.

The panels will be placed between the runways on the former airfield.

Lark managing director Jonathan Selwyn said construction would start later this year if the project was approved.

Mr Selwyn said: "This will be 25 to 30 megawatts, so it will be quite big, but it will not be intrusive.

"There will not be reflection because the panels are designed to absorb the light rather than reflect it."

The panels can be removed to return the land to its current state when energy production ceases in 30 years, he said.

Charnwood borough councillor Jenny Bokor said: "I think this is a really good idea. There are 1,500 homes in all the Wolds villages and this could more than meet their needs.

"I am sure there will be some people who will object but I am in favour of making use of the land to create energy."

Wymeswold Parish Council chairman Nick Shaw said: "It won't make any noise or create any pollution."