Solar farm between Long Whatton and Hathern set for approval

The site is split across two parcels of land either side of Oakley Wood

A large solar farm that could power more than 16,000 homes is set to be given the go-ahead in Leicestershire.

Members of Charnwood Borough Council will consider the scheme by Endurance Energy for land between Long Whatton and Hathern on Thursday.

Planning officers have recommended the solar farm for conditional approval.

A section of the site falls within the boundaries of North West Leicestershire District Council, with a decision yet to be made on this part of the plans.

The 245-acre (99-hectare) farm has been designed to allow agriculture to continue on the site, and Endurance Energy says it has worked with wildlife groups to restore "historic ponds" on the site.

Two local residents have objected to the plans, fearing the "impact on the environment and countryside", and possible negative effects on neighbouring Oakley Wood, a site of special scientific interest, and two nearby listed buildings.

Other concerns raised include flood risk, impact on wildlife and the loss of agricultural land.

'No permanent harm'

Comments were also submitted by four people to NWLDC's planning team, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

When the application was submitted, Endurance Energy said the company had consulted local residents and received feedback from more than 100 people, with two thirds supporting the plans.

The planning officers' report said the solar farm would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11,210 tonnes per year, with 448,400 tonnes saved over the expected 40-year lifetime of the scheme.

The report added: "This represents a significant contribution to the legally binding national and international requirement and associated targets to increase renewable energy generation and reduce CO2 emissions."

Recommending the scheme for approval, the report concluded it could be "successfully accommodated within the existing landscape pattern" without causing any "permanent harm" to the landscape character or visual amenity.

The committee meeting will be viewable live on YouTube.