Huge solar farm plan in Shropshire is recommended for approval

A giant 23 megawatt solar farm on agricultural land near Albrighton in Shropshire has been recommended for approval by planners.

The proposals for the site include housing batteries and electrical inverters in shipping container-like structures to be able to feed the power for 7,642 homes straight into the electricity grid.

Around 100 representations have been received by the council, with the vast majority – by 78 to 22 – in support of the Low Carbon Solar Park 16 Ltd.

But key opponents include Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, local councillor Nigel Lumby and Boningale Parish Council representing the village.

Objectors say they support the principle of solar energy, but not in that area. Councillor Lumby says he has his own solar panels.

The parish council says: “It is one of three sites around the Albrighton/Boningale area currently under consideration – one granted – and therefore the cumulative impact on the local Green Belt will be very significant and harmful.”

The farmer who owns the land says it is not top quality for growing cereal crops but using it in this way for 40 years would provide a useful income to help the farm invest. Sheep would be able to graze between the panels.