PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go-ahead to plans for a solar farm on land which forms part of the former Risley Landfill site – even though the development would cause harm to the Green Belt.
Access to the site would be via Silver Lane – which, despite being sealed off, is regularly invaded by traveller groups.
The plans have been considered twice by the borough council’s development management committee who delegated authority to officers.
The proposals were first put forward in April 2021 and have been under consideration ever since.
It was considered that the scheme would be an inappropriate form of development, resulting in loss of openness, causing a loss of view from an informal footpath running across the site.
But having weighed all the factors carefully, officers believe the harm to the Green Belt is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme including renewable energy generation and its role in meeting the challenge of climate change.
The area of land involved is made up of poor and semi-improved grassland and newly planted trees. There are limited alternative uses available because of historic landfill operations.
The site is 3km north west of the centre of Warrington and is accessed via Silver Lane, Risley – which in recent years has caused a problem due to incursions by traveller groups.
The solar farm will generate about five megawatts of electricity at maximum output, which would be distributed within the local energy network.
Applicants Biffa Waste Services Ltd say mitigation works will minimise the harm to the view from the informal footpath
Pictured below: The solar farm site as it is now
