Cumbrian solar farm hits market with £3.5m price tag

Currently home to a 7.8MW project with permission in place to grow it by another 10MW, Roanhead Farm offers 268 acres of land by Barrow-in-Furness.

The livestock farm is being marketed by GSC Grays Rural Business and Leisure Agency. The site is largely grade three ring-fenced land, with a five-bedroom farmhouse and series of outbuildings.

The existing solar farm is under a 30-year lease and generates an annual index-linked income of £64,400.

This solar farm could be expanded by another 44 acres to its east, which would be capable of generating a total of 17MW. Connection to the grid has already been secured and a connection offer accepted, according to GSC Grays.

“Roanhead Farm is set in a wonderful location and offers the opportunity of continued agricultural use along with considerable potential for diversification into commercial or leisure ventures and solar farm generating significant annual income,” said Katherine Wigham, associate atf GSC Grays.

Roanhead Farm had been the subject of an ill-fated eco-lodge venture from developer ILM Group, who had sought planning permission to erect 233 lodges and a residential student training academy on the site. The scheme was rejected by Westmorland and Furness Council’s planning committee in November over concerns it would negatively impact the surrounding wildlife.