A planning application for a 10MW solar power plant co-located with a 12.5MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) has been submitted to Shropshire Council.
Brought forward by Atticus Planning, on behalf of G Power Solar Ltd, the application would see the development of a 24.5 hectare (60.5 acre) site at The Beeches, off Alkington Road, near the A41 close to Whitchurch.
It is proposed that the solar panels would be arranged in south-facing rows of modular arrays, mounted on aluminium frames supported by upright poles. The layout of the arrays would allow for sheep grazing to continue on the land, of which only 20% would be taken up by the proposed equipment.
A substation will be located within the site, which Atticus states has been designed to make the most efficient use of the land and avoid environmental impacts.
The BESS element of the development is proposed for the northeastern corner of the site. While a connection point has not been agreed, planning documents state that the applicant is currently engaging in discussion with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and a potential point of connection has been located 1km east of the development.
Across the projected 40-year lifespan of the solar development, an overall biodiversity net gain of 95.6% in habitat units is expected as a result of the proposed development.
The local planning authority issued its formal screening opinion on 9th July 2024, which confirmed that the proposed development does not necessitate an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Public consultation on the project ran in October, with some community engagement, planning documents say.
Atticus Planning is based in West Devon and offers town planning advice and services. Its website claims it has a number of large-scale solar energy projects across the UK, though no further information is available.
G Power Solar Ltd is based in Shropshire. Solar Power Portal has reached out to both companies for more information on the development.
Shropshire Council broadly supports solar generation projects, calling solar power generation a “good news story” for the area, which hosts 27 solar sites. The village of Sheriffhales in Shropshire launched a community bond offer in 2022 to raise funds to bring a solar farm on the edge of the village into local community ownership.
The bond offer raised £565,000 with a further £3 million secured from a long-term bank loan from the Bristol-based ethical bank Triodos. Establishing its support for the technology, in 2023, Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) – which represents county parish and town councils – published guidance to support early engagement with potential solar farm developers in the area.
