Peterlee solar farm plan gets approval

Plans for a new 20,000-panel solar farm in Peterlee have been given approval by planning bosses. Durham County Councils planning committee approved consider an application for the development at a farm at Mill Hill. The site, just north of the North West Industrial Estate, would be expected to produce 5,000 megawatt hours a year, which would meet the energy requirements of 1,390 homes and could save around 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide during its 30-year life.Panels will be mounted on fixed frames at 25 degrees, with a maximum height of 2.5m. A 2m-high metal security fence will enclose the area, positioned behind existing hedge lines. The only objection was submitted to the proposal, from The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the committee was recommended to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions, including that work must started within three years.