Cheshire campsite warns of 'unsustainable' energy costs as solar panels bid lodged
A popular Cheshire campsite wants to erect almost 1,000 ground mounted solar panels after revealing that its forecasted energy costs are "not sustainable". Lady Heyes Camping and Caravan Site has lodged a planning application with Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The owners of the site on Kingsley Road, Frodsham, which also includes a craft centre, camping pods, children’s indoor play area and café, are proposing to erect 988 ground mounted solar panels on a dog exercise area and grassland. The planning application reveals that the park's current energy contract is nearing an end and without this scheme the projected energy costs to the business won't be sustainable.
The solar panels would cover 39 per cent of the site's energy needs, it adds. The design and access statement, submitted on the firm's behalf, says: "The site comprises the south eastern section of the site which is currently used as a dog exercise area and grassland.
"It is surrounded by existing development with the main caravan site to the north and northwest, car park and camping pods to the west, camping pods to the east and the access road to the camping pods to the south. A concurrent application has been submitted for the construction of three padel courts on land to the west which forms a grassed area between the application site and the camping pods to the west. The site is therefore well contained and screened by existing development.
"The applicants have set out to be an example of good practice in sustainability to enable them to tap into the growing market for sustainable tourism. They have included a number of measures into the existing operation to enhance the sustainability of the development, including specific environmental practices, staff training, waste and recycling.
"The current proposal to erect solar panels to meet the energy needs of the site is the next step in this objective to follow good practice in sustainability of the business. The site for the panels is the only remaining piece of land within the site that is not currently occupied by buildings, camping pods, the car park or the caravan site."
It adds: "As can be appreciated, the energy needs for such a site are substantial. The current scheme is designed to offset some of the 1,028,408kWh of electricity currently imported annually which results in 257 tons of CO2 emissions. Transitioning to solar energy will therefore have the dual benefit of enhancing the sustainability of the site through substantially reducing off site energy usage and will assist the long-term financial viability of the business.
"Whilst the proposals amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, the adverse impacts (spatial and visual) are negligible due to the design of the facility and the site context with the panels being located within the existing built planning unit of Lady Heyes well surrounded by existing buildings and structures."
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