Planning consent has been given for EDF Renewables UK’s Glassthorpe solar farm. West Northamptonshire Council unanimously approved the project after the strategic planning committee met to discuss the proposal on Tuesday (18 July). The planning permission for this 49.9 MW solar farm, situated between the villages of Flore and Upper Heyford, along the M1 Corridor, comes after consultation with the local community.
Amongst growing concern about climate change and energy security, the solar farm at Glassthorpe will be capable of generating enough low carbon electricity for the domestic needs of more than 9,500 households*. The project will also deliver significant additional local benefits, including a community fund of £20,000 paid annually for the 40-year lifetime of the project.
Darren Cuming, Head of Development at EDF Renewables UK, said: “We are very pleased to receive planning consent as we believe that this is a great site for solar as it is suitably sunny and is well screened. We will plant 1.3 km of new hedgerow as part of our plans to improve biodiversity, which also include planting trees and new wildflower meadows.
“EDF Renewables UK is an experienced developer, and we want to work with the community on the next steps as we prepare the site for construction following this positive planning decision. We will also reach out to local people to start discussions on the implementation of the annual £20,000 community fund which will be available once the project is up and running.”
EDF Renewables UK hopes to begin site preparation later this year, and construction is likely to take approximately 6 months. Connection to the grid will be made 8 km east of site at Northampton West substation, and Glassthorpe Solar Farm is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.
ENDS
*Based on the average domestic electricity consumption per home (temperature corrected) per the Energy Consumption in the UK (published July 2019, Table C9 of ECUK: Consumption data tables).
