Wolverhampton Council hope to develop new solar farm

Planners have recommended approval for Wolverhampton’s first solar farm. 

If approved, the solar farm will be built on Bowman’s Harbour, an unused landfill site adjacent to an industrial estate. 

The solar farm will assist the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust in meeting their carbon reduction commitments by supplying 6.9MWp to New Cross Hospital. 

Subject to planning permissions being granted at the planning committee meeting next Tuesday (September 14) it is hoped work could begin this year. 

Cllr Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment and climate change at City of Wolverhampton Council said: ‘If planning committee agrees with the recommendation from planning officers it will be a major step that will enable us to deliver this ambitious project.

‘Since declaring our Climate Emergency in July 2019, the council has been supporting its partners towards making Wolverhampton zero carbon. I’m pleased to see the council supporting the local hospital in achieving its ambitions to reduce carbon emissions in the city. The new development will certainly have a positive impact in making Wolverhampton a greener city.

Professor David Loughton CBE, chief executive at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust added: ‘I am delighted that we are hopefully one step closer to approval for the solar farm project.

‘Here at RWT, we take our commitment to sustainability very seriously and using electricity from the solar panels will go a long way in supporting us to reduce our carbon footprint and continue our work with the council to make Wolverhampton zero-carbon.’

In related news, earlier this year Peterborough City Council granted planning permission to a new solar park which will be built on a former landfill site.

Photo by American Public Power Association