Enso Energy Solar Farm Near Barl...
Green Light for 4,000 Home Project
A significant solar farm project has received approval from Basildon Council, paving the way for a substantial increase in renewable energy generation in south-east Essex. Enso Energy has been granted permission to develop a large-scale solar farm and battery storage facility near Barleylands, Billericay, Essex, UK.
The solar farm project, which will be located on green belt land, is expected to generate enough electricity to power 4,250 homes in the local area. In addition to the solar farm, Enso Energy will also install underground cabling to connect the facility to a substation in Rayleigh, Essex, UK.
Local Concerns and Alternative Solutions
While the solar farm project aligns with the UK government’s broader push for renewable energy, it has not been without controversy in the local area. Phil Turner, a local Conservative Councillor for Billericay West Ward in Essex, expressed his deep disappointment at the approval, citing concerns about the impact on the local green belt.
Mr. Turner argued that there are alternative locations for such solar panel projects, including high-rise buildings or other sites that do not encroach on protected local areas. He also emphasized the importance of careful consideration and exploration of all available options before making decisions that could have long-term consequences for the local environment and community.
Scaled-Down Proposal
The approved solar farm plans represent a scaled-down version of a previous application, which was rejected by the local council in March 2023 due to its larger size and potential damaging impact on the local green belt. The new proposal is focused on specific areas of land south east of Coxes Farm Road and west of the A129 in Billericay, Essex.
According to the applicant’s documents, the solar farm is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3,271 tonnes per year. This equates to the emissions savings of removing around 1,139 cars from the road annually.
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