PROPOSALS for a solar farm on a 32 hectare Green Belt site at Cuerdley, Warrington have been submitted to borough council planners.
The scheme is at Fowl Farm, Cuerdley and applicants Renewable Connections Developments Ltd are seeking a screening opinion from the council as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed.
Currently used for agriculture, the site is relatively flat although there are hedgerows, ditches and scattered trees.
To the north of the site it is predominately open farmland with scattered commercial and residential buildings. The A5080 and railway line run immediately to the north. To the east is also open farmland, with the outer edges of Penketh about 800m away. To the south is also open farmland, however the A562 runs to the south. Electricity pylons across the site and surrounding area and contribute significantly to the industrialised context of the wider landscape.
Immediately to the west of the site is the outer urban fringe of Widnes
The proposal involves a ground mounted solar farm with a maximum export capacity of up to 27 megawatts. The proposed development would have a life of up to 40 years at the end of which the modules would be decommissioned and removed from the site. The connection to the electricity grid would be via an underground cable routed along Mowcroft Lane to the east connecting to the grid via the existing Widnes Road primary substation near the roundabout junction of the A5080/A562.
Existing vegetation would be retained across the site and will be enhanced by new vegetation screening the development. Sheep would be able to graze around the development so some agricultural use would be able to continue on the site.
There are no Listed Buildings within the site, but there is a World War 2 anti-aircraft gun which is a scheduled monument some 500 metres north of the site.
The applicants believe the scheme will not result in any significant impacts so an EIA will not be required.
The full planning application will include a full range of assessments relating to landscape, visual impact, heritage, ecology, noise, agricultural land analysis and mitigation plans to reduce any likely impacts
