The planning application for the 23.7 hectare 14MW solar park to the west of Eye has been approved by Peterborough City Council.
While a positive use of the space it is in the Green Wedge which is a zone where planning permission was not to be granted for any development that would reduce the degree of physical separation between settlements. The plans were drawn by Northampton-based Infinis Solar Developments, which has been generating low carbon power from gas produced by the decomposing waste on the site for more than 18 years.
The site was originally farmland before being excavated for clay for the nearby Dogsthorpe Star brick pit. After the clay was exhausted and the brickyards were closed the site was used for landfill. By 2023 the site was filled to capacity and final restoration of the site took place.
As well as solar panels the site will include the installation of a battery energy storage system plus a number of substations, perimeter fencing and CCTV security cameras.
Once construction starts it’s expected to take around seven months.
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Dogsthorpe Solar Park Development
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New plan for solar park at landfill tip could help Peterborough in fight to become carbon zero city