Grundon confirms plans for solar farm in Berkshire

Grundon Waste Management intends to build a 30-hectare solar farm on a former landfill site near its operations in Beenham, Berkshire.“We are at the early stages of the project and have yet to apply for planning permission,” said a spokesman. “However we see this as another important step forward towards our long-term goal of becoming self-sufficient in renewable and low carbon energy.”An application for an environmental impact assessment screening, for a 10MW facility, was made to West Berkshire Council. Beenham Parish Council plans to discuss the proposal at next month’s meeting.The proposed solar farm will be located on a restored landfill site, the spokesman explained, and will generate green electricity for both Grundon’s own operations and other local businesses:“By identifying the restored landfill as the ideal location for the project, we are also helping to protect more productive land for much-needed food production.”Similar plans for a solar farm at nearby Grazeley – part of West Berkshire Council’s wider environment strategy – were met with protests last week, with local residents claiming it would destroy high-value farming land.The council has said the Grazeley project would offset 30% of its carbon footprint, but residents and famers are urging planners to reject the proposal.Grundon owns and operates energy-from-waste facilities, most notably the 37MW Lakeside EfW facility in Colnbrook – a joint venture with Viridor.“We believe the current energy crisis can only be resolved by a national effort to create additional generation capacity and that is exactly why Grundon is investing in developments such as this,” added the company’s spokesman.“We are committing long-term funding to bring forward renewable energy generation and low carbon programmes which we believe will help deliver a more sustainable future.”