Banks Renewables has filed a planning application for an up to 50MW solar-and-storage project in south Yorkshire, England.
Banks Renewables is developing a 116-hectare site to the east of Sheffield around three miles from its Penny Hill wind farm.
The Common Farm Solar project’s planning application is expected to go before Rotherham Council’s planning committee before the end of the year.
A battery electricity storage system linking directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station around three kilometres to the north of the site forms part of the project, which will help support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers, Banks said.
As part of Banks’ policy of delivering tangible benefits to the places in which its operations are based, the Common Farm Solar Park would deliver community benefits totalling more than £2m through its lifetime to support local community projects.
A detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy which will ensure the site delivers a net benefit in biodiversity to the local community also forms part of the scheme.
The ground around and beneath the solar panels will be used to create a wildflower meadow and there will be increased planting of hedgerows, while part of the site will also be managed to encouraged Lapwings to thrive.
Lewis Stokes, senior community relations manager at Banks Group, said: “The initial response we’ve had to our ideas from local people and community leaders has generally been positive and we’re grateful to all those who’ve taken the time to share their thoughts, questions and comments so far.”