New solar farm in south Lancaster which 'could power 1,300 homes' up for discussion

The council is behind a planning application for a 10,500 panel development at Burrow Beck, just north of Bailrigg Lane, which it previously said could provide power equivalent to the electrical usage of around 1,300 homes, and offset 80 per cent of its electricity consumption.

Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the council has been working to reduce its CO2 emissions.

As part of the commitment to achieve net zero, it has been carrying out a review of land holdings to determine which parcels could accommodate renewable energy.

The council currently consumes 5GWh (giga-watt hours) of electricity per year, and this is expected to rise considerably by 2030 as the council transitions from fossil fuels to electrically powered heat pumps and vehicles.

Burrow Beck has been identified as a site that could accommodate solar photovoltaics and the council has developed a proposal to deliver a 4MW (mega-watt) plant consisting of around 10,500 solar panels.

The delivery of the scheme would enable the council to generate around 4GWh of renewable energy per year, saving in the region of 800 tCO2e (tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent) per year.

The council has sought views from residents and neighbouring properties on the development.

Respondents supporting the scheme recognised the importance of the project as a factor in helping reduce the consumption of carbon.

However, Scotforth Parish Council and Bailrigg Village Residents Association have both objected to the plans, citing reasons including the wrong location, the adverse impact it would have upon the rural character of Bailrigg and general environment, and drainage and flood risk concerns.

Others had concerns about the use of green space for the development in relation to landscape and biodiversity impact, and questioned the implications of the project on the mature trees.

Because Lancaster City Council is the landowner and applicant for this proposal, the proposal is required to be brought to the council's planning committee. Officers have recommended the scheme is approved.

The site is due to be visited by committee members prior to the meeting on September 30.

A council report says funding for the scheme would be via capital borrowing. The council envisages that there will be no council tax implications arising from this scheme.

The site will generate income from the sale of electricity to the grid. This is anticipated to offset any costs associated with the delivery and ongoing management of the site.