Plans unveiled to build solar farm the size of 31 football pitches in Quorn

Leicestershire County Council is drawing up a £16 million plan to build a solar farm which it hopes can run some of its services, offset funding cuts and boost local businesses.The project would see the renewable energy facility developed on land owned by the council near Loughborough.Officials today confirmed the council’s plans, adding that the solar farm – which would be accompanied by industrial units – could generate £1 million pound savings to reinvest in council services each year.The Quorn Solar Farm project would see a series of parallel rows of photovoltaic (PV) panels erected across a 62-acre site which would be connected to the National Grid.If approved, five light industrial units or office space – replacing redundant farm buildings – would be built on a 21,500 sq. ft. site at neighbouring Poole Farm.Nine single storey light industrial space unites, with offices and landscaping, would also be erected on an adjacent 38,000 sq ft site off Barrow Road.The county council has been looking into the business case of a solar farm project for some time.Deputy council leader, Byron Rhodes, said the scheme would boost local businesses. The £16m cost would be met by using “on-off pots of money”, including income from property sales and investment.The council’s cabinet will discuss the proposal at its next meeting May 1.If approved, the plans will be drawn up in greater detail and be brought back to the cabinet, ahead of a planning application being submitted to the authority’s development control and regulatory board.