Plans for a new council-run solar farm have been proposed for Hadley in Shrewsbury. The scheme would help to provide local residents with renewable power over the long-term.
In addition to helping the area to significantly reduce its carbon footprint, the initiative would also see households in the area saving money on their energy bills.
Expected to be located on land near the Jigsaw Schools in Wheat Leasows, the farm could see as many as 20,000 solar panels installed on the site, costing the council up to £6 million.
The bid from the Telford & Wrekin Council has come shortly after confirmation that a new multi-million solar plant has been given the seal of approval for Shrewsbury.
As part of the Shrewsbury plans, panels of up to nine ft high will feature on 54-acres of land in Westbury.
However, returning the the most recent proposals for Hadley, the chairman of the local council has voiced his approval.
John Smart of Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council said that he thought the plans are “a wonderful idea”.
In addition to suggesting that the development will have minimal impact on the environment than housing or factory development, he also noted that the people in the local area will also benefit from the power generated.
“In today’s austere times I understand they have to look for other ways of raising money,” Mr Smart said.
He went on to state that as many as 1,000 homes will benefit from the development, and cited examples of one or two homes in the local area that have already been benefitting from solar power.
People in the local area should not notice any visual impact from the development as the allocation of panels will be well out of the way of the public eye.
According to councillor Bill McClements, the site is located close to an existing substation, so it will be easy to link up to the current network.