A planning application for a 10MW solar power plant, combined with a 12.5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), has been submitted to Shropshire Council.
The application, submitted by Atticus Planning, on behalf of G Power Solar Ltd, would see the development of a 24.5 hectare (60.5 acre) site at The Beeches, off Alkington Road, just off the A41 near Whitchurch.
It is proposed to arrange the solar panels in south-facing rows of modular arrays, mounted on aluminum frames supported by upright poles. The layout of the stables would allow sheep to continue grazing on the land, of which only 20% would be occupied by the proposed equipment.
A substation will be located on the site, which Atticus says is designed to use the land as efficiently as possible and prevent environmental impacts.
The BESS element of the development is proposed for the north-eastern corner of the site. Although no connection point has been agreed, planning documents state that the applicant is currently in discussions with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and that a potential connection point is located 1km east of the development.
Over the expected 40-year life of the solar development, a total net biodiversity gain of 95.6% in habitat units is expected as a result of the proposed development.
The local planning authority issued its formal screening advice on 9 July 2024, confirming that the proposed development does not require an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Public consultation on the project took place in October, with some community involvement, according to planning documents.
Atticus Planning is based in West Devon and provides planning advice and services. The website claims it has a number of large-scale solar projects in the UK, although no further information is available.
G Power Solar Ltd is based in Shropshire. Solar energy portal has contacted both companies for more information about the development.
Shropshire Council is broadly supportive of solar power generation projects, calling solar power generation a “good news story” for the area, which is home to 27 solar sites. The village of Sheriffhales in Shropshire launched a community bond bid in 2022 to raise money to make a solar farm on the edge of the village owned by the local community.
The bond offering raised £565,000, with a further £3 million secured by a long-term bank loan from Bristol-based ethical bank Triodos. Establishing their support for the technology, Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) – which represents county parish and town councils – published guidance in 2023 to support early engagement with potential solar farm developers in the area.
