Solar farm plan at Toyota site set for approval

Plans for a solar farm at Toyota's manufacturing plant near Derby are set to be given the go-ahead.

The Japanese carmaker submitted proposals for a 23-hectare (56.8 acres) solar farm north west of its site off the A38 in Burnaston in August.

According to planning documents, the proposed development would include about about 26,700 solar panel components, which would produce 19% of Toyota Manufacturing UK's energy needs.

South Derbyshire District Council's development management committee have been recommended by planning officers to approve plans at a meeting on Tuesday.

A report submitted to the council by Toyota said the scheme would ensure the company remained at "the forefront of sustainable manufacturing" and would provide lower energy costs.

The firm said that the expansion would allow them "to remain competitive" and continue to "provide significant employment" to the local area.

If approved, the new solar farm would be 492 ft (150m) to the south of Toyota's existing smaller 4.1-megawatt solar farm, which was built in 2011.

In its application, Toyota said the Burnaston site enjoyed "a special status" as one of Toyota's global sustainable plants.

"The proposed solar farm development will help ensure [it] remains at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing and working towards making the UK a green super power in line with the government's goals," the firm added.

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