Rejected Lancashire solar farm plans are back on the table

Elgin Energy have applied to build a 7MW solar farm on land off Moss Lane in Bilsborrow, near Preston.

An original application, covering almost 87 acres of land with 60,000 panels, was rejected by planning bosses, but has now been resubmitted on a smaller scale.

Wyre Council’s planning committee refused the previous proposal, stating it would “have a significantly detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of this area of open countryside.”

A new statement to the council, from agents Rural Solutions Ltd, said: “In response to the council’s decision the proposals have been revised to significantly reduce the size of the proposed solar farm to reduce its visual impact – the new scheme has been reduced to 13ha from 38ha, a reduction in size by 63 per cent.”

It said the revised plans would also “move the solar farm away from the public footpaths to address concerns regarding the impact on to the amenity and safety of the footpath users”.

The statement said the proposed development would involve building photovoltaic panels on land with an output of up to 7MW.

It said: “Each panel will have a length of approximately 1600mm, a width of 1000mm and a depth of 50mm for a total of up to 28,000 panels, subject to final design.” It said there would also be a security fence and CCTV system.

Julie Buttle, clerk to Woodplumpton Parish Council, said: “Woodplumpton Parish Council has been notified that the original application - refused in December 2014 - has been resubmitted.

“Members opposed the original application on the grounds that it covered too large an area and would be intrusive in the rural area. It is noted that the site area and number of panels has been reduced from 60,000 to 28,000 and members will reconsider the impact of the application at their next meeting on Monday.”