A PUBLIC consultation is underway with intentions to bring a solar farm to Cumbria that could generate enough energy for 13,500 homes annually.
Opdenergy proposes installing a 49.9 megawatts solar farm, located near Brampton and 9 miles northeast of Carlisle, on the site of agricultural land at Leaps Rigg, Walton.
The renewable energy producer has said the site has the predicated capacity to save up to 295,000 tons of CO2 emissions over 30 years in operation.
The positive climate change solution hopes to contribute to the UK Government's strategy of decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to met net-zero targets by 2050.
Chair of the Carlisle and District Green Party, Tom Adams, said he "cautiously welcomes the application".
"I give a cautious welcome to this planning application as any development of renewables that reduces our reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation is to be welcomed.
"As the solar array is set to be built on 88 hectares of existing arable and grazing land, then the environmental impact is likely to be minimal, and solar farms in general cause the least concerns when it comes to environmental degradation.
"I understand that existing hedgerows would be maintained and that grazing of animals might even continue beneath the panels.
"If the development has an independent biodiversity analysis, then plans might be drawn up to actually encourage wildlife. As with all these things the devil is in the detail, but as a basic premise this seems to tick all the boxes," he said.
Opdeenergy within this proposal also boast that existing trees, hedgerows and shrubs would remain and be enhanced to ensure a low visual impact on the site.
Subject to consent, the intention is to start construction on site Spring 2025, with completion and connection to the grid by Spring 2026 - of which would be connected to an Electricity North West overhead line near the site.
Members of the public are being encouraged to submit their queries and issues to the consultation via www.leapsriggssolarfarm.co.uk
Following the conclusion of the public consultation, Opdenergy aim to submit a planning application to Carlisle City Council in August later this year.
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