Plans to build a solar farm on the site of a former coal mining site in County Durham are progressing after the development company behind the venture are looking to engage with local communities.

Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd, a UK based green energy business, has set the ball rolling to develop the ex-industrial site near Bishop Auckland, which would generate significant renewable energy, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and help Durham County Council to achieve its ambitious climate change targets.

The Bluefield Group already owns and operates 117 similar solar farms around the UK and mainland Europe, generating 766 Megawatts (MW) of electricity – enough to power 290,000 homes.

The proposed site lies to the north of Cockfield and south east of the village of High Lands.

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Bluefield hope to create a 49.9MW solar farm on 130 acres of agricultural land, currently used for sheep grazing.

The land will still be accessible for grazing sheep throughout the lifetime of the project and - as it is not used for arable farming - there will be no impact on local crop or food provision, according to the company.

Before submitting a formal planning application, Bluefield will undertake consultation with local people, community leaders, councillors, and businesses, to fully explain its proposals and to listen to feedback.

Should the project go ahead, it would be able to generate enough electricity to power nearly 13,000 properties a year.

This would represent a projected carbon emission reduction of approximately 8,700 tonnes, the equivalent of taking around 5,500 cars off the road each year.

“We are aware of the huge transformation which County Durham has undergone over the past half century or so - and of the changes it needs to make to achieve its climate ambitions.

“These proposals will help to maintain the site’s historic link to energy production, whilst enabling the generation of clean energy, to support Durham’s environmental goals.” said Jonathan Selwyn, managing director with Bluefield Renewable Developments Ltd.

“We believe our proposal supports the UK’s drive towards sustainable energy from renewable sources, using a site that - until around 30 years ago – produced non-renewable carbon-based fuel for the region.

“Its setting means that, with limited additional screening through planting, the solar farm would be virtually unseen.

Communication with local councillors is already underway and consultation events, where people can find out more about and comment on the proposal, are being planned for the autumn. 

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