A new solar energy farm backed by the local council is set to be constructed on 16 acres of fields near Lancaster University. Councillors approved an application for a site located near Bailrigg and the West Coast Mainline railway.
The approved plans include solar panels and infrastructure for land south of Burrow Beck at Bailrigg Lane. Owned by Lancaster City Council, the site is part of the council's initiative to develop local renewable energy projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
These new energy developments could potentially provide households and businesses with alternatives to major utility companies. Historically, many local councils have developed, owned, and controlled utilities such as water, gas, and electricity networks.
According to a planning report, the new Burrow Beck solar farm could generate up to 4MW of sustainable energy. The report stated: "The city council is committed to supporting the move to a lower carbon future. It will seek to maximise the renewable and low carbon energy generated in the district, where generation is compatible with other sustainability objectives."
The application was approved during the latest meeting of Lancaster City Council's planning committee, .
The council, which declared a climate change emergency in 2019 and set a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from its activities by 2030, is backing the project.
However, given the current pace of change, national plans to decarbonise the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's power system by 2035 may not be achieved. The report emphasised the crucial role of planning in establishing new renewable and low-carbon energy infrastructure where the local environmental impact is acceptable.
Richard Wooldridge, a planning agent from HPA Architects in Lancaster, voiced his support for the plan on behalf of the city council. However, Paul Holland of Scotforth Parish Council and Bailrigg Village Residents' Association expressed opposition, citing concerns about the location, visual glare on student flats, construction traffic impact, loss of openness, visual harm to the area, insufficient panel screening, lack of community engagement, and perceived absence of community benefits from the solar farm.
Despite the controversy, the plan was given the green light. It comes with more than 20 conditions, including the preservation of trees and hedges, the implementation of an employment skills plan, and a requirement that the sub-stations be painted dark green.
