Plans for a solar farm near Dunham-on-the-Hill and Hapsford

Hob Lane Solar Farm, is being brought forward by Belltown Power and will meet the equivalent energy needs of approximately 13,200 homes.

Belltown Power is an established clean energy company at the leading edge of project development in the UK. Founded in 2013 by a team of highly experienced renewable energy professionals, it has successfully delivered over 200MW of now operating wind, solar, and hydropower capacity across Scotland, Wales and England.

Prior to submission, Belltown will be holding a virtual briefing for the community on Monday 24^th March between 6-7pm. This virtual briefing will provide the opportunity to learn more about the proposals, share feedback and pose questions to the project team.

Please register using:

http://www.bit.ly/hoblane

Once the site is operational, Belltown will be providing a community benefit and education fund of £600,000 over the lifetime of the project. This funding will help support local initiatives such as rooftop solar on community buildings or conservation projects as well as funding for local primary schools to visit the sites and hold classroom workshops.

Solar farms don’t just generate clean electricity and help tackle the climate emergency; they also allow for continued agricultural use including sheep grazing and have the potential to become havens for wildlife, increasing local biodiversity. Enhanced landscaping including hedgerows will both screen the site and provide valuable habitats for a wide variety of animals. New ponds habitats, wildflower meadows and beehives will support pollinators, alongside insect hotels and bird boxes.

Ruth Luckins, from Belltown Power said:

“We are very much looking forward to speaking to members of the community about our plans for Hob Lane Solar Farm. If approved, this solar farm will provide much-needed renewable energy, helping to decarbonise the electricity network and support Cheshire West and Chester Council in meeting its net zero carbon emissions targets.”

A planning application for a new solar farm near Dunham-on-the-Hill and Hapsford will be submitted in late spring / early summer to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

For further information about the scheme, please visit the project website:

http://www.hoblanesolarfarm.com