Solar farm plans near village to be decided

Plans for a solar farm near a village in Leicestershire are set to be decided at a council meeting.

Melton Borough Council's planning committee is recommended by officers to approve a planning application on Thursday from Downing Renewable Developments to build a solar farm on land east of Waltham Road near Freeby.

The applicant states the proposed development would produce up to 42 MW of renewable energy and could provide enough electricity to power about 10,000 homes.

In planning documents, the applicant said the scheme would make a "significant contribution" to local and national energy goals.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans also included proposals for a battery storage system, new tracks, fencing, lighting and CCTV.

The applicant says the proposed project, which would be built on a site spanning 81 hectares (200.2 acres), would be decommissioned in 40 years time.

A report submitted by the applicant states: "This project will generate renewable energy.

"It will also facilitate additional renewable energy generation on the UK grid network, as well as performing grid stability and balancing services, through importing and exporting electricity at times of high and low demand and network system stress."

The report submitted by the applicant added there would be "significant environmental enhancements" included in the project.

A report by Melton Borough Council planning officers concluded the benefits of the proposal "outweighs" the harms.

Additional reporting by Dan Hunt

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.