A renewable energy developer has lodged plans for a solar energy farm in Northumberland.
Exagen want to build Highfield Energy Park, a hybrid solar farm and battery installation, on land located to the west of Whittonstall.
A planning application has now been submitted to Northumberland County Council for the energy park that could comprise between 75,000 and 100,000 panels.
If given the go-ahead, the solar farm will generate around 52,000 MW hours per year, the equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 17,500 Northumberland homes.
The firm lodge a pre-planning application at the end of last year, with residents fearing it would ruin the 'treasured landscape' and have a negative impact on wildlife.
Now, bosses say they have carried out an extended period of public consultation and environmental assessment to inform the design and planning application, speaking to parish and ward councillors, in-person exhibitions, an online webinar, a question and answer session and individual meetings.
Following feedback, Mark Rowcroft, Managing Director of Exagen Development, said they have removed solar panels from the eastern side of the development that were least screened by woodland and most visible.
Panels have also been offset a greater distance from field boundaries to reduce visual impact from adjacent roads, while there will be new planting and existing hedgerow improvements.
The firm says the scheme will boost biodiversity with an 85 per cent net gain delivered for habitats and 52 per cent for hedgerows.
Mark added: ‘’Solar provides one of the cheapest and quickest to deliver forms of energy generation and alongside energy storage is an important part of the future energy mix.
"We’re excited about working with local communities and businesses to ensure the project is not only providing clean, home-grown energy onto our grid, but that the site is also benefitting the local area.
"Over the next few months, we’ll be announcing a variety of opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved.
"We look forward to hearing from those in Whittonstall, Consett and the surrounding area about how they can make this site best work for them in the long-term’’.
Exagen is also planning to establish a community fund to spend projects or initiatives in the local area.
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