Aura Power have been granted planning permission for a solar farm on land to north of Broad Lane, near Bishampton, Worcestershire. The proposed location falls within the district of Wychavon, and the parish of Bishampton. The solar farm will have a capacity of 30MW and will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 7,812 typical homes, thereby saving 9,738 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year.
Solar energy is a proven technology in decarbonising power generation and securing the supply of energy; priorities strongly supported by UK government, policy, and the public.
The proposal is to install a solar farm that would be entirely self-funded, and devoid of any government subsidy. Furthermore, by increasing the volume of clean energy in the electricity market, this and other solar farms will help contribute to keep energy prices as low as possible.
As a local business, our solar farm will also be contributing over £50,000 in business rates to Wychavon District Council every year. Furthermore, Aura is proposing to set up a Community Benefit Fund of £350 per MW per year (index-linked), for the lifetime of the solar farm. This could amount to £10,500 a year for 35 years or over £360,000 in total to be spent on used for social and environmental community projects. £1,000 a year would be set aside for educational sessions with the local school and site visits to the solar farm. We are also proposing wildflower, trees and hedgerow planting which will improve local biodiversity.
