Major new solar farm could be built in one of Merseyside’s most scenic locations
A major new solar farm could be built in one of Merseyside’s most scenic locations. The farmland overlooks the Dee estuary and Wales.
An application by Chint Solar has gone in to Wirral Council to see whether certain documents are needed for the development of a solar farm close to Rose Cottage off Station Road, Thurstaton, on the Wirral. The new farm on green belt land would cover a total of 27 hectares.
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A map outline in the documents suggests the solar farm would be built right next to The Nest, a popular café and bar for families, dog walkers, and beach visitors. It would extend north towards Thurstaton Hill as well as south west to a nearby caravan park.
The request by Chint Solar said: “The proposal is for a development that will make a valuable contribution to United Kingdom’s statutory ‘Net Zero’ carbon and emissions reduction targets, and a significant contribution to energy supply and security, and is in a suitable location such that there are not likely to be significant effects on the environment.”
The solar farm would come with panels up to 3.5m in height, security fencing, CCTV cameras, as well as landscape and biodiversity enhancement. The application is for a temporary use for 35 years before the land is returned to farming.
A response from Wirral Council to the request points out the farm is not in a densely populated area but “the proposal would impact a substantial area in terms of landscape and visibility”. This could have an impact on the area around Thurstaton which has a number of listed buildings.
It also points out the close distance between the size and the Dee estuary and the development may result in the long-term loss of land linked to this environment, adding it was considered significant. The local authority said an environmental impact assessment will be needed.
Chint Solar described itself as “a leading European player”, adding on its website: “We are fully committed to achieving a successful energy transition in Europe, away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future with clean energy.
“Our mission is to energise people. We want investors, landowners and local communities to become part of a future in which green energy is available to everyone.”