Telford and Wrekin council backs £6m solar farm

Plans for a £6m council-owned solar farm in Telford have been given the go-ahead by the local authority.

Telford and Wrekin Council wants to install more than 16,000 solar panels on 30 acres (12 hectares) at Wheat Leasows, in Hadley.

It said the panels would provide enough power for up to 1,000 homes and would earn money for the council by feeding electricity into the National Grid.

The Conservative opposition described the scheme as "risky".

The project, part of the council's bid to generate more clean energy in the area, is expected to create a profit of up to £5m over its 25 years.

The Labour-run authority said the money would help off-set budget cuts.

Planning officers recommended a number of conditions, including that the build starts within three years and that permission for the site lasts for 25 years, after which the land could be given back to farming.

Telford and Wrekin said it would now put out a tender to find a contractor to build it.