Large solar farm near village set for approval

A large solar farm near a village in Leicestershire is set to given the green light by officials.

If approved by Charnwood Borough Council, the plans would see the scheme built on more than 240 acres (95 hectares) of agricultural land south-east of Wymeswold, near Loughborough.

Developers Exagen said the Mantle Solar Farm could generate enough electricity to power about 19,800 homes, and would be decommissioned after 40 years.

However the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the plans have been criticised by locals who believe the renewable site - which would be the fourth near the village - is unjustified.

Despite criticisms, the farm is on course to be approved by the council's planning committee on Thursday after planning officers published a report encouraging councillors to vote in favour of the scheme.

During a public consultation, neighbours said they were concerned about the traffic the development would cause, with planners estimating 2,000 lorry movements on Narrow Lane in the first six months.

Objectors also voiced fears that the 3m-high panels from the solar farm will "destroy" countryside views, despite promises of a plan to enhance biodiversity and block views to the site with hedgerow and woodland planting.

However, some residents made representations in favour, telling members the application was an "important" step in achieving net zero targets.

Andrew Mott, Exagen's head of planning and environment said: "We have worked closely with our environmental and technical consultants to arrive at a final design which looks to deliver the cheap, clean, domestic electricity that is so urgently needed, whilst balancing this against the landscape, ecological and heritage constraints of the site."

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