New plans for solar farm at former mining site

Plans to build a solar farm and battery energy storage on a former mine in Bedworth have been resubmitted. Last year proposals from the restored former Newdigate mine off Bedworth Lane and Astley Lane were submitted to the district council.

But then, after an environment officer from Warwickshire-county-council>Warwickshire County Council objected to the scheme on planning policy grounds, the proposal was withdrawn last July.

However, the proposal has now been sent back to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for consideration. It says the solar farm and associated infrastructure at the former Newdigate Colliery site will have an export capacity of 6MWh of electricity, enough to power more than 1,600 homes for four years and offset around 1,750 tonnes of CO2 each year, the equivalent of taking over 400 cars off the road.

READ MORE: Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary delighted to win council battle

It adds that the battery storage element will have a capacity of 5MVA. In relation to the issues raised previously, the design and access statement explains that it has looked at a number of areas.

This includes the local wildlife site designation of the whole site, the requirement for an alternative site search assessment and the rationale for choosing the former Newdigate Colliery site, rather than the surrounding land, for the proposed development.

The site is also said to be used unofficially by walkers and dog walkers for recreational purposes without the landowner’s consent. As part of the proposal, a dedicated footpath will be provided on the site, with the intention of this being a permissive right of way.

“The site was once a mine that ceased operations and closed in 1982,” the plan adds. “Since the 1990s inert recycling and soil importation has taken place to enable the area to be reclaimed. A soil survey and agricultural land classification report has been carried out in support of this application. The survey concluded that the site of application is non-agricultural land. “

Wildlife and location

Regarding the chosen location, the report says: “The key factors in identifying the location of a solar farm and BESS is proximity to available grid capacity. Once the network capacity has been identified, the distribution network operator provides a connection point. From this point the developer has some control to determine the best location for the solar farm and BESS Distance from the connection point, potential planning and environmental constraints and a willing landowner will then determine the location and scale of an application . the site.”

Regarding concerns about the impact on local wildlife, it explains that off-site improved land will be created to provide “adequate compensation for any potential on-site habitat loss”.

“The improvements have been designed to replicate all the key habitats found at the Newdigate Colliery LWS (Local Wildlife Site) and being partly bounded by woodland and hedgerows, the field is of strategic ecological significance, enhancing the habitat network across the wider Arbury Estate.”

The plan is now being reviewed by City Hall officers. As part of this, the public can have their say on the proposals.

These can be found on the council’s website under the planning section looking for reference number 040290. The deadline for all comments is June 8.

A decision on the application will be made by August 9.

Get all the Nuneaton and Bedworth news sent straight to you