A SOLAR farm is set to be built despite fears for the future of a dairy farm.

Hebden Green Solar Farm has been given the green light by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Delivered by Anglo Renewables, the 61.53-acre farm will generate 19MW of renewable energy.

“Hebden Green Solar Farm is an opportunity to strengthen the energy resilience of the borough and the UK,” reads a design and access statement submitted as part of the application.

“Anglo Renewables are working at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a greener, low carbon economy through identifying and developing solar sites across the country.

“By providing a renewable energy source the proposed solar farm will assist the borough and the Government in meeting the country’s legislated target of reaching Net Zero by 2050.”

The application was submitted in July, 2023The application was submitted in July, 2023 (Image: CWAC)

Anglo Renewables submitted an application on July 25, 2023, for the construction of a temporary (40-year) solar photovoltaic farm, including solar panels with transformers, a substation, a control room, an access track, security fencing, CCTV, landscaping and associated infrastructure.

Following a public meeting in August 2023, Darnhall Parish Council ‘strongly objected’ to the plans.

“We believe that on balance the solar site will have a detrimental impact in particular in the areas of biodiversity, connectivity of priority habitats, landscape character, the rural economy and access to the countryside,” said a council spokesperson.

The council also noted it is 'anomalous' the proposed solar farm is named Hebden Green, despite being in Darnhall, on the land of Beech House Farm.

CPRE (The Countryside Charity) Cheshire also raised concerns, including harm to natural beauty and biodiversity, as well as suggesting that the land's current use is more appropriate. 

A spokesperson said: “Although the applicant states the land at the site is of low grade, this land is representative of dairy land in Cheshire and as such very suitable for the cows that are housed in winter.

“The proposed solar park is adjacent to the farm. There is no extra land nearby so the loss of this land would have a negative effect on the farm business with potential loss of jobs.”

Similar concerns were shared by several residents, with one fearing such a project would ‘destroy’ a family-run dairy farm.

Another added: “We are an island nation so if we are not able to source our own food it will have to be imported. The war in Ukraine shows just how important agriculture is.”

"It seems that using this prime farmland that has enabled a successful dairy business to thrive is absurd when there are so many brownfield sites or land that do not have such significant farming capabilities," said another resident.

Despite these concerns, Cheshire West and Chester Council formally approved the plans on July 25, 2024.