Planning applications by Solarcentury for over 50MW of solar parks, worth almost £56.5 million, in Norfolk, Suffolk and Southampton, have been approved by the respective councils.
Breckland Council in Norfolk voted on the 14.8MW Hardingham Solar Park near Wymondham, the 11.5MW Lexham Solar Park near Litcham and the 11.5MW Fontaine solar park near Narborough.
In Suffolk, Waveney Council voted in favour of Solarcentury’s application for a 12.3MW Chediston solar park near Halesworth.
The Suffolk and Norfolk parks are estimated to cost roughly £50 million.
Near Southampton, Eastleigh Borough Council has granted planning permission for a 6.3MW solar PV park at Chalcroft Farm, costing approximately £6.5 million and expected to consist of 25,632 panels. The park will cover over 16 hectares and produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,800 homes.
In addition to the development of these sites, Solarcentury states it also plans to design, build, operate and maintain the sites.
Frans van den Heuvel, CEO Solarcentury, said, “Solarcentury has designed and built 10 solar parks in the UK to date and this is the first where we have acted as developer. We currently have 68MW in our development pipeline.”
For Chalcroft Farm, construction company Arun Services has been awarded the principal subcontracting role to ensure jobs remain in the area. Further contractors are yet to be announced.