Shropshire solar farm gets the go-ahead

Planning permission has been secured for a Shropshire solar farm, which is set to generate the equivalent electricity used for 11,300 houses.

Anglo Renewable’s Ludlow 40-megawatt solar farm and 12-megawatt Battery Energy Storage Site (BESS) forms part of a £26m investment.

Construction of the solar farm is expected to take around six months, and once complete, will result in a saving of 19,200 tonnes of CO2 every year.

In addition to creating clean energy through solar panels, the project includes measures to enhance biodiversity and landscape features, such as mixed species grassland, new hedgerows and tree planting and reinforcing existing hedgerows.

James Stone of Anglo Renewables Rock Farm said: “Solar is a source of cheap electricity, something we badly need with the cost of living crisis, and it is essential to take action at a local level.

“We are extremely pleased with this result; it is reassuring to know that Shropshire Council is not deviating from its commitment to its Net Zero targets and that it recognises the extensive biodiversity net gain and the benefits this development will have for the county.”

Paul Barton, of Harris Lamb’s planning team which secured planning permission said: “Shropshire Council is a very forward-thinking authority, having declared a climate emergency four years ago and prepared a strategy framework in December 2019, which established the objective of achieving net-zero corporate carbon performance by 2030. We had worked hard to design a suitable scheme, and we were hopeful that the committee would recognise the benefits of this scheme, which is part of a £26 million investment.

“The proposed scheme will create jobs and providing much-needed renewable energy solutions at a time of global concern around volatile costs surrounding energy provision”.