Huge Telford solar farm scheme given green light
A 19-acre solar farm will be built on the edge of Telford, councillors have ruled.
The farm will cover an area that is roughly the size of 300 tennis courts on fields at Cheshire Coppice Farm in Bratton, near Wellington.
The plans were unanimously approved by Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee last night despite fears being raised over work being carried out at the site beyond agreed hours.
When built, thousands of panels will be installed on the land north of Rushmore Lane, which on average would be able to power 1,500 UK homes per year.
Councillor Jacqui Seymour, ward member for Wrockwardine, said: "My concerns are with regards to the company Sunsave, which previously worked on the solar farm at Tiddiecross, near Wrockwardine. The construction phase of the development was a nightmare, there was a constant and blatant disregard for working hours.
"Despite numerous complaints and the involvement of enforcement officers, there was also disregard by traffic of the access and there was continued use of the narrow lanes through Wrockwardine."
Debbie Marriage, agent for Sunsave, said: "We are aware there were problems at Tiddiecross.
"A number of measures will be put in place to ensure the issues we had last winter in Tiddiecross will not be repeated."
The council already has its own solar farm in Wheat Leasows, near Hadley.
