Solar farm given go ahead in Beenham

A large solar farm is being planned for fields near the Beenham Industrial Area.

Grundon Waste Management has got permission from West Berkshire Council for it.

The Thames Valley-based company has been given the go-ahead for the farm on its former landfill site near Beenham Industrial Area, despite it being in the National Landscape which usually prevents development.

The council has green-lighted the project at the 9.71 hectare site, of which 1.73 hectares will be covered with solar panels, which is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 422 homes and offset nearly 400 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Grundon’s estates director Philip Atkinson says the company’s investment in its first dedicated solar farm underlines its commitment to sustainable energy.

“This is a significant step forward in meeting our renewable energy ambitions,” he said.

“While this development is within a National Landscape the council has recognised the project makes best use of a restored landfill site which is designated as low-quality agricultural land.

“We are very pleased to have received planning consent and would also like to thank the local community for its support and recognition of the importance of developing new renewable energy sources.”

Once the solar farm is completed, it means the site will become fully energy self-sufficient.

Surplus renewable electricity from the solar farm will go into neighbouring local businesses and the National Grid.

The development will see a 2MW ground-mounted solar PV panel system installed, together with a battery energy storage system.

The site will be extensively landscaped to provide additional biodiversity benefits and fencing added as screening.

The company had applied for an environmental impact assessment screening of the proposal ahead of submitting a planning application.

The applicant says the area has historically been used for landfill.

The site was originally worked for sand and gravel extraction between the 1950s and 1990s.

Infilling with commercials and industrial wastes then took place until the early 2000s.

Grundon want to use the land for solar farm use for 25 years, claiming to power up to 2,400 homes, after which the site should be returned to greenfield site.

A Grundon spokesperson said: “Through engagement with the local community, planning officers and other stakeholders, it was decided to size the solar array according to current on-site requirements. This leaves open the possibility of increasing the array in the future to meet demand but would be subject to a separate planning application which would be decided on its own merits.

“The approved solar farm will cover a total area of 9.71 hectares, of which only 1.73 hectares will be covered by solar panels. The remainder of the site will be extensively landscaped, including with hedging and tree planting to boost biodiversity, as well as an access road.”