Major Leicestershire solar farm approved despite concerns

Councillors have approved a large solar farm spanning seven fields in Leicestershire, featuring over 103,000 solar panels.

The project, located near Fleckney on land belonging to Wistow Lodge Farm, received the green light from Harborough District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, March 26.

Set to operate for 40 years before reverting to farmland the solar farm is projected to generate electricity to power nearly 13,500 homes in the Harborough area annually.

Construction is estimated to take between four to six months, with approximately 9,670 vehicle trips expected to and from the site during this period.

Following construction, vehicular traffic to the site is anticipated to decrease, according to planning officers.

It has been stated that while the solar farm is operational, the fields will also be utilised for sheep grazing, and public rights of way in the vicinity will be maintained.

Despite objections raised by the local parish council, including concerns about landscaping, footpaths, and the scale of the project, the planning committee ultimately approved the development, with only one elected member voting against it.