Telford & Wrekin Council planning giant solar farm that would power 1,000 homes

Telford & Wrekin Council wants to put the solar panels on land near Hadley.

The full detail of the plans will be revealed in a report which will be published later this month and put before the council's cabinet on September 19.

The authority is looking at ways to bring in money to help reduce the impact of cuts to their grant from central government, which means they have to find £20 million in savings by 2016 on top of £50 million they have already cut since 2009.

Officials say the farm, earmarked for Wheat Leasows and one of the first in the country to be run by a local authority, would form part of a strategy to find new ways of bringing income in to help to protect the services the council provides.

They say in addition to creating income to support frontline, it would reduce the borough's carbon footprint.

If the scheme is supported by the council's cabinet, a formal consultation process will take place before any planning application is submitted.

Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin's cabinet member with responsibility for commercial strategy and economic projects, said: "This project demonstrates the council's commitment to finding new and innovative ways to support ourselves in the face of cuts in our Government grant. Not only will the proposals help to secure funds for future services but will also help to secure local energy too.

"We hope that these proposals will help to create a more sustainable council while securing an important source of income to support key services.

"We've already started talking with local residents and they and the wider community will be consulted extensively throughout any planning process."

If the project were to proceed, it would be only the second council-run solar farm in the UK after Newquay in Cornwall.

Another is planned on 900 acres in Peterborough, where the town's council says it would generate an income of £30m net profit as part of an energy park.