Pickersgill Home Farm has applied to install 205 solar panels capable of generating 90.2kW of renewable energy to boost its sustainability. Given the farm’s location in Kirklees Park near heritage sites like Kirklees Hall and Kirklees Priory, the project requires both planning permission and listed building consent.
Pickersgill Home Farm Submits Proposal
Pickersgill Home Farm, located in Kirklees Park near Brighouse, West Yorkshire, has submitted a planning application to install 205 solar panels on its roof. The proposal aims to enhance the farm’s sustainability by generating renewable energy while preserving the surrounding historic environment. The panels will be mounted on the farm’s north-eastern pitched roof using Canadian Solar 440W modules capable of producing 90.2kW of peak power.
Though Pickersgill Home Farm itself is not a listed building, it sits within Kirklees Park, a Grade II-registered site known for its historical significance. The park is home to the Grade I listed Kirklees Hall and the medieval ruins of Kirklees Priory. According to Historic England, the grounds also feature landscaped gardens and the reputed burial site of the legendary Robin Hood.
Due to the proposed panels’ proximity to these heritage sites and their placement within one metre of the roof’s external edge, both planning permission and listed building consent are required. Calderdale Council will review the application, with a decision expected at a later date.
Geo Green Power—the company behind the project’s design and installation—has emphasised its commitment to preserving the area’s aesthetics and historical integrity. The application highlights that the solar panels will not be highly visible from surrounding properties such as Kirklees Priory or Kirklees Hall, ensuring minimal visual impact on the historic landscape. The installation will also use a pitched roof mounting system, avoiding permanent fixtures like concrete foundations.
Technical Details of the Solar Installation
The 205 Canadian solar panels will feature 3.2mm tempered glass front covers with an anti-reflective coating to minimise glare and prevent unwanted reflections. The entire array will generate a peak power output of 90.2kW, significantly contributing to the farm’s renewable energy supply. The supporting statement from Geo Green Power assures that the system will be dismantled immediately once it ceases operation, ensuring no lasting alterations to the site.
Pickersgill Home Farm’s proposal reflects a growing trend of integrating renewable energy solutions within historically significant areas. The farm’s location near the reputed grave of Robin Hood underscores the importance of balancing environmental initiatives with heritage preservation. A monument within Kirklees Park marks the legendary outlaw’s final resting place, where folklore claims he chose his burial site by shooting an arrow from his deathbed in the priory gatehouse.
Calderdale Council will consider the application in the coming weeks. The proposal has drawn attention due to its location within a park rich in cultural and historical heritage. The council’s decision will weigh the benefits of renewable energy generation against the need to protect the site’s historical significance.
The Future of Renewable Energy in Heritage Areas
If given the green light, the solar panel installation at Pickersgill Home Farm could serve as a blueprint for similar renewable energy projects in heritage areas throughout the UK. The proposal reflects a thoughtful balance between advancing sustainability and preserving the site’s historical value. Geo Green Power’s design illustrates how modern energy solutions can be integrated into culturally significant settings without compromising their heritage.
The solar panel proposal marks a significant step toward more sustainable farming practices in West Yorkshire. It aims to produce clean, renewable energy while respecting the farm’s historic surroundings within Kirklees Park. This balance between environmental progress and cultural preservation underscores the project’s broader significance.
Calderdale Council’s decision on the proposal will be closely monitored, as it could influence the direction of future renewable energy projects in protected areas. Approval would set a precedent for how sustainability initiatives can proceed in historically sensitive locations, potentially paving the way for more farms and institutions to adopt renewable energy while safeguarding the UK’s rich cultural heritage.