A PLANNING application for a solar farm on a former deep and open cast coal mining site has been submitted.
Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, a UK based renewable energy business, hopes to create a 49.9 Megawatt (MW) solar farm on 158 acres of pasture land, currently used for sheep grazing.
The proposed site – Bluestone Farm – lies to the north of Cockfield and south east of the village of High Lands.
If approved, the solar farm would generate significant renewable energy, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and help Durham County Council to achieve its ambitious climate change goals, having declared a climate emergency in 2019, the compnay says.
Bluefield has already undertaken consultation, including a public meeting and public exhibition with nearby residents as well as site visits with ward councillors.
The solar farm would be able to generate enough electricity to power about 13,000 households annually (a projected carbon emission reduction of about 8,700 tonnes, or the equivalent of taking around 5,500 cars off the road each year).
Bluefield, a pioneer in the UK solar sector, has chosen the location to minimise visual impact with screening by belts of established trees and hedgerows. Extra planting is proposed to provide further screening and enhance the area’s biodiversity.
The land that the solar farm would occupy is not deemed as best and most versatile land. Should approval go ahead, the current farmer has agreed to resume sheep grazing around the solar arrays, once the plant is operational.
Alan Connolly, development director with Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, said: “The provision of significant renewable energy would help meet the county’s environmental goals, whilst respecting the area’s rich and historic energy producing heritage.
“Importantly, the… project would support the continued use of the land for sheep grazing.
“We have had a number of very constructive meetings with members of the community and Durham ward councillors and the feedback has been very positive.
“As the lowest cost, quickest to deploy and most popular of all energy sources, solar is already making an important contribution to addressing both the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis.”
The Bluefield group owns and operates more than 100 solar farms on behalf of the funds it advises, generating around 800MW of electricity – enough to power 290,000 homes.
In November last year, Bluefield successfully received unanimous planning approvals for two 49.9MW solar farms in Northumberland, each with a similar coal mining history.
This project would represent the company’s third significant investment in the North East.
If planning approval is granted, it is estimated that the county council would benefit from £7m in business rates over a 40-year period.
