A huge solar farm coming to Merseyside will power 500 homes

A large-scale solar farm that will power nearly 500 homes has been proposed for green belt land in Knowsley.

The company proposing to install the 1.5Mw solar farm is Neighborhood Services Company (NSC) – a social business based in Knowsley which provides a range of services including building construction and environmental design. The applicant’s representative at the hearing was planning officer Mr Carr, who said: “We believe the package together will deliver more than just green energy and I hope members recognize the scheme it brings to the Knowsley borough.”

The NSC proposal could also provide economic benefits and Knowsley Council expects the scheme to boost the local economy and create various new jobs.

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The solar farm would be located far from residential properties, with the nearest home more than 200 meters away. The site consists of a flat, open area next to the M57 motorway access road and extends into the wooded area next to Knowsley Brook. The application also includes provision for the construction of a substation, a transformer structure, two gravel roads and landscaping and biodiversity works.

The plans also include further biodiversity enhancements, such as the creation of a wildflower meadow to the south of the proposed solar panels.

An important consideration for the planners was the nature of the site which is designated Green Belt Land. Policy CS5 (Green Belt) prevents the use of Green Belt land except in “very special circumstances”, with applicants having to demonstrate that any potential harm – including its openness, visual and recreational purposes or facilities – would be “clearly outweighed” for other reasons.

The National Planning Policy Framework defines ‘special circumstances’ and explains that the planning system should support the transition to a low-carbon future. Planners are advised to consider the importance of even small-scale projects that make a “valuable contribution” to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Planning officer Andrew Hunt presented the application to Knowsley councilors at a planning meeting in the council buildings in Huyton. Mr Hunt detailed how the solar farm would be built on grade 3b farmland – classified as moderate quality farmland. Grade 1 is considered to be the highest quality.

As a result, My Hunt said: “Its loss would not be significantly detrimental to the local environment.”

Consultations were undertaken with the Local Highways Authority, Liverpool City Council, Natural England (NE) and United Utilities and no objections were raised. However, Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS) said a review of habitat regulations was needed, as well as a lighting scheme to avoid harm to bats and birds. Additionally, a preliminary ecological study said the solar farm would not have any harmful impact on local wildlife.

Cllr Del Arnall asked if any public rights of way around Larkins Farm and Gellings Lane would be breached by this project and was assured that no such breach would occur. Overall, the planning team stated that the positives outweighed any potential negatives and recommended approval of the applicant’s proposal.

In support of the development, Knowsley Council said the project would generate significant amounts of renewable energy, (1,350,000 kWh per year), increasing energy security and reducing carbon emissions. NCS said the solar farm will generate enough electricity to power about 500 homes.

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