40-Year Solar Power Plan
A new solar panel farm on the outskirts of Coventry looks set to receive approval from the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. Proposed for Green Belt land near the Bedworth and Coventry border, this ambitious agricultural solar project in Coventry would power over 7,000 homes. If approved, it will become one of the largest solar installations in the region, marking a significant step towards local renewable energy goals.
The proposed solar farm near Coventry is set to power over 7,000 homes and advance local renewable energy efforts.
The proposed site is on farmland at Tolldish Hall Farm on Hawkesbury Lane and is expected to operate for 40 years. After this period, the entire development will be decommissioned and the land fully restored to its original condition. Planning officers have recommended that the council approve the project, despite its location in the Green Belt. The council’s planning committee will make the final decision on Tuesday, August 29.
Environmental Impact and Energy Production
The solar farm is projected to generate up to 25 MW of power, enough to supply approximately 7,091 households. It will also significantly reduce carbon emissions, displacing an estimated 5,055 tonnes of CO2 annually. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, the project aligns with national and local climate goals and contributes to the UK’s broader renewable energy mix.
A report prepared for the planning committee outlines the project’s clear renewable energy benefits, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. It also acknowledges the potential environmental impact of the solar farm. While the development is substantial, the report suggests the project’s temporary nature and planned site restoration mitigate long-term harm to the Green Belt.
The proposed site is also home to several Grade II-listed buildings, including Tolldish Hall, Tolldish Hall Cottage, and Hawkesbury Hall. The report acknowledges the potential impact on these heritage assets but concludes the project’s public benefits outweigh this harm. Access to the solar farm would be from the B4109 via two planned points. Construction vehicles would use an existing agricultural access near Tolldish Hall Farm, while operational vehicles would enter from a separate track leading to Hollyhurst Farm.
Mitigation Measures and Landscape Impact
The planning report details several measures to mitigate the solar farm’s impact on the surrounding area. These include retaining existing boundary vegetation, planting new native hedgerows, and creating species-rich grasslands and wildflower meadows. These efforts are designed to reduce the development’s visual impact and help it blend into the landscape over time.
Despite these measures, the report acknowledges that the farm would cause some harm to the Green Belt by reducing its openness. The scale of the project, complete with substations, transformers, and CCTV posts, would introduce a significant amount of new infrastructure into the rural area.
Ultimately, the planning committee must weigh the substantial benefits of the solar farm against its potential harm to the Green Belt and local landscape. The report concludes that the temporary 40-year nature of the project, combined with the proposed mitigation measures, provides sufficient grounds for approval.
If approved, this agricultural solar Nuneaton project would play a crucial role in the region’s transition to renewable energy, though it would also alter the landscape for the next four decades. The final decision rests with the planning committee members, who will meet on August 29 at the Town Hall to determine the project’s fate.