Plans in for solar farm on Warrington Green Belt
Expected to generate enough energy for more than 10,600 homes, Renewable Connections Developments proposed power plant would take up 81 acres at Fowl Farm in Cuerdley.
The solar farm would be operational for 40 years, according to planning documents submitted by Third Revolution Projects on RCD’s behalf.
During that time, it would be capable of generating 27,100 Megawatt hours of energy. RCD estimates that this would offset more than 4,930 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
After the 40 years were up, the panels would be removed and the land returned to its current state.
While the solar panels were in place, animals would still be able to use the land for grazing, according to the application.
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Installing the panels and associated infrastructure is estimated to take approximately six months.
Access to the site would be off Mowcroft Lane.
While the application notes that the scheme represents inappropriate development on Green Belt, it contends that the benefits arising from the provision of renewable energy and RCD’s plans to bolster biodiversity on the site by nearly 170% habitat units outweigh the harm.
The submission of plans follows RCD’s successful EIA screening opinion application from earlier this year.
In addition to Third Revolution Projects, the team behind the scheme includes Logika, Cotswold Archaeology, Apex Transport Planning, Parish Land Surveys, LRA, Neo Environmental, Salopian, Pager Power, and BWB Consulting.
Learn more about the project by searching application reference number 2025/00961/FULM on Warrington Council’s planning portal.
When you say that it will power 10,600 homes what exactly do you mean ? At face value that means that it can heat all those homes continuously non stop for 24 hours and so on and so on for every day for 40 years . So what happens when the sun does not shine for 24 hours continuously for 40 years ? What utter nonsense. The great con continues.
By Anonymous
Increasingly solar farms have battery storage facilities in close proximity. It’s a similar concept to home solar. We had solar panels and batteries installed in November. Batteries store surplus power which is used in the evening and when demand exceeds panel supply. In March, our grid draw was down 30%, April 50% and 90% since. It’s an evolving technology, but the number of “yes, but what abouts” are falling.
By Alan P
The current trend in ‘generate some money from some land’ carries on; it’ll blow over and then we’ll be stuck with thousands of tonnes of whatever the cheapest solar panels are to get rid of.
By John Smith
More renewables pushing up the price of electricity- we all ready have the most expensive electricity in the developed world – can we just stop this nonsense
By Stuart wood
Anonymous 1.28pm – the figures quoted will include periods when there is no or reduced daylight, obviously night time, winter when daylight is reduced, and an allowance for downtime when the system is maintained. It’s also a misconception that these panels need sunshine, they actually need daylight rather than sunshine. The extended summer daylight hours make the photovoltaic (PV) panels more viable in the UK rather than the likes of Australia which has sunshine but short days. I’ve worked on photovoltaic installation schemes for the last 15 years, and I can assure you that all variables are taken into consideration when developing the business case for investment into PV systems, these figures are therefore not a con.
By Anonymous
Stuart Wood – renewable technology is much cheaper than fossil fuel generated energy. You are being sold a lie by certain politicians who should know better.
By Anonymous
Some commenters seem to believe that installing a solar panel in a field is more costly than extracting gas from the ground—or from deep under the sea halfway around the world—then cooling it to a liquid, shipping it across oceans, and burning it in a power station. It’s time they applied a bit of critical thinking.
By Anonymous
8:37 am
By Anonymous
First point the world bank has rated the uk and Ireland the the worst places in the world for solar efficiency – clear due to our cloud cover and position in the northern hemisphere.
Second – I’m not listening to political figures with a an agenda I’m looking at the facts – they clear show that having a fragmented grid which is increasing unstable due to intermittent inputs from solar- (but especially wind) has and will continue to push up the price of domestic and especially commercial electricity prices
– the evidence is there if you choose to look
By Stuart wood
Well said Anonymous.
I’m concerned with the continual reduction in agricultural land. Another 81 acres of food to be imported. Will the fairies deliver that on unicorns?
By Anonymous
Stuart Wood – you have misrepresented the world bank report on PV panels. The report is a comparison between countries on the benefits of the use of PV panels not only taking into account daylight hours but also current energy supply, and infrastructure. On this bases Ireland is calculated as the country which would benefit least from the installation of PV in comparison to other countries with Namibia benefiting the most. The report does not say it isn’t worth investing in PV panels in Ireland and the UK in fact the world bank is investing substantial funds across the globe in PV panel installation. The report also doesn’t say fossil fuel generated energy is cheaper than renewable energy.
By Anonymous
some weird anti solar comments on here. Personally i believe all Carparks should have solar roofs and they would keep the cars cool underneath.
However in instances like this livestock enjoy sheltering underneath so its a win on their part too
By Anonymous
The council gave planning permission for the solar panels but they are trying to close Holly’s farm in tannery lane which they have fresh vegetables eggs and fruit it’s also a wonderful place to socialise with a fantastic family who run it so please keep it open
By Roy nicholls