Solar panels could be installed in Worcestershire field

Proposals to build an array of 14 photovoltaic panels on land off Penn Hall Lane in Pensax, near Abberley, have been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council.

Planning documents say each panel has an area of 1.76 square metres, meaning the entire array will come to less than 25 square metres in total.

Also included in the plans is a statement on how the land would be restored to its current state should the solar panels no longer be needed.

PLANS: Designs for the proposed solar panels (Image: Stewart Mumford Architectural Consulting Ltd)

“At the point that the photovoltaic solar panel array ceases to operate either by choice or necessity the land will be returned to grassland matching the adjacent field,” it says.

“All photovoltaic solar panels, support structure and associated concrete footings etc. are to be removed and disposed of responsibly.

“Furthermore redundant infrastructure such as cables, ducting etc. are to be dug up, removed from site and disposed of responsibly.

“Following the removal of all of the above plant and equipment the land is to be backfilled with topsoil and seeded with grass seed. The above described works are to be completed within six calendar months after the system is decommissioned.”

The district council’s tree and landscape officer has offered no objection to the plan.

Worcestershire County Council agreed earlier this month to explore ways of setting up community energy companies in the county.

The community-owned schemes generate their own power - so options could include building solar farms on council land.

Malvern Hills District Council last week approved plans to install solar panels on the roof of council-owned leisure centre Malvern Splash.

It is hoped the panels will cut energy usage in the building by 40 percent.

Worcester City Council has already installed some solar panels on the roof of St Martin’s Gate car park in the city - and has submitted plans to add more than five times the number, increasing the amount of energy produced by nearly 450 percent.

This would generate enough power to help run hundreds of lights, electric vehicle charging points and the lifts at the car park.