Plans in for Hartlepool solar farm which would power 16,500 homes

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department from CS UK Holdings III Ltd for a solar farm on a 155 acre site off Worset Lane.

The plans state the site would have a maximum capacity of 49.999 megawatts and would ‘generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 16,500 homes annually’.

It comes after earlier this year a community consultation event was held at Hart Village Hall over the plans, which were then set to cover 180 acres of land.

Worries were raised over the size of the plans by residents, which also caused for concerns to be raised by council officers, which has led to the applicant reducing the size of the site.

The plans therefore no longer involve fields located to the south-west of the site.

The applicant, who has worked in conjunction with Novergy to develop the plans, noted the remaining feedback from the community engagement event was ‘generally positive and/or constructive’.

A planning, design and access statement from planning agent Intelligent Alternatives stated the development would have ‘substantial’ benefits for the area.

It said: “The proposals will generate renewable electricity to power approximately 16,500 homes annually over a 40-year period.

“The benefits include making a substantial contribution to renewable energy generation levels, in turn making a valuable contribution to tackling climate change.

“The proposals are expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits and the electricity generated from a renewable source will be sold in a competitive market alongside other sources of electricity.

“It is widely acknowledged that solar is a viable source of renewable energy with solar technology deployed worldwide to generate clean electricity.

“Solar farms like the proposals are playing an important role in the transition to a low or zero carbon economy.”

It also noted the development would create construction and maintenance jobs for local companies.

The site is a group of agricultural fields in the open countryside and is situated immediately south of the A179 near to Hart village.

The development would also include tree and hedge planting and the provision of bird nest boxes and bat boxes.

Plans also note there would be a one-off community benefit payment of £60,000 to the local community once the proposals have been commissioned.

This community benefit scheme will be offered to Hart Parish Council irrespective of whether or not it supports the full planning application.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department next month.

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