Plans for a 25-acre solar park in Brampton have been scuppered by changes to government payments.

The park, which was due to be built on land at Unity Farm, will not go ahead after the developer behind the plans decided it was no longer economically viable.

The solar park, which would have generated enough power for 1,250 homes, was due to be built on 25 acres of land owned by the Laird family.

Brothers William and Jim Laird, whose family have run Unity Farm for more than 52 years, were keen to help conserve the future of their farm for the next generation by building a 5MW solar park. But investors pulled out of the scheme following the government announcement last year.

There have been changes to a so-called feed-in tariff, paid by government for electricity generated by solar, even if it is used on-site.

The business behind the project, Cheshire solar business Green Energy International, tried to find the funding elsewhere but had little success.

Managing director Arthur Bell said: “Sadly we’re not going ahead with the project as the planning application costs would be in the region of £50,000 and that on top of current panel prices makes the scheme at present economically unviable.”

He added they had a good relationship with the farmers and were discussing the possibility of another scheme.

William and Jim are third generation farmers and wanted the solar scheme to help secure the farm for Jim’s young son Rory to move into the business.

They are now exploring the possibility of a financed solar system for their properties and outbuildings which is said to have saved other similar sized businesses six figure sums in electricity costs.

William, 51, who lives at the farm with his wife Anne and their two sons, both in their twenties, said: “We have a sub-station on our land and that is being used for the new airport and there are plans for another 200 houses in Brampton, so a solar site providing extra power to the National Grid was a wonderful idea for us to help put something back.

“The sheep could have continued grazing on the land and that was ideal for us as we have 600 ewes and just the 40 beef cattle now.

“We are now considering the option of the solar panels for the farm buildings and if we can make a saving and help save the planet by reducing our carbon footprint then we can do it.”

Green Energy International believes solar panel prices will drop by 35 per cent if a minimum import price levied by Europe is removed as Britain makes an exit from the EU.

The company is installing solar on schools and academies and for certain companies throughout the UK and is keen to offer the same service in Cumbria.

“We also have finance available for all types of commercial rooftops, so our solar schemes can still light up lives in Cumbria by producing massive savings for Cumbrian companies,” added Mr Bell.

Plans for the park, which had been well-received at a consultation at Brampton Community Centre last summer, were also being discussed with local renewable champions Sustainable Brampton and Brampton and Beyond Energy.

But talks stalled after the government announcement and the company underwent a major restructuring to adapt to the altered market.