Duo of solar farms set to get the go ahead

Plans for the installation and operation of two solar farms in County Durham and the surrounding areas look set to be approved by the council.An application by Lightrock Power proposes for the installation of a solar photovoltaic array with associated infrastructure on land west, north and east of Whinfield Farm Brafferton.The scheme straddles the boundaries of County Durham and Darlington with 79 acres of the 105-acre site being in Durham.The construction process for the solar farm could create 80 to 100 staff and, when operating, five to ten mostly remote jobs could be created.The proposed 31-megawatt array would generate approximately 28,000 megawatt hours per year which would offset the annual electricity usage of about 8,785 homes in the County Durham area, or 8,300 homes in the Darlington Borough area.Separate plans by Lightsouce BP are also lodged for the installation of a solar farm at Sheraton Hall in Hartlepool.The site of the proposed farm occupies approximately 190 acres within a rural landscape predominantly used for agriculture, and falls within the Hartlepool and County Durham boundary.The solar farm development would provide power sufficient to provide clear energy for about 9,444 homes while also reducing dependence on fossil fuel power stations.Both sets of plans will go before Durham County Council on Tuesday 7 December with a recommendation for approval.