Key Facts
- Applicant
- John Farrar
- Location
- Moorgate Farm, Irton, Holmrook, Cumbria
- Number of panels
- 24
- Maximum height
- 3 metres
- Total panel area
- 49 square metres
- Array footprint
- 184 square metres
Background
A planning application has been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority for a new solar array on a farm in Cumbria. The proposal, made by John Farrar, concerns Moorgate Farm in Irton, Holmrook.
The application seeks permission to install a ground-mounted system on a disused concrete pad. The site was previously occupied by a tractor shed that blew down in a previous storm, leaving the pad available for reuse.
Current Situation
The proposed array would consist of 24 panels, each manufactured by Neostar and measuring 1.7 by 1.1 metres. The total panel area would be 49 square metres, with the full array covering 184 square metres of land.
The panels would be mounted on a galvanised steel ground mount made by Solarport, reaching a maximum height of three metres. The system is designed to generate up to 20kW of electricity for domestic use on the farm.
According to the application, no excess power is expected, but any surplus would be exported to the national grid. The panels would be set back more than five metres from the site boundary and shielded from public view by trees and existing buildings.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of panels | 24 |
| Panel dimensions | 1.7m x 1.1m |
| Total panel area | 49 sq m |
| Array footprint | 184 sq m |
| Maximum height | 3m |
| Capacity | 20kW |
| Setback from boundary | >5m |
Impacts
If approved, the solar array would provide renewable electricity for the farm, reducing its reliance on grid-supplied power. The use of a disused concrete pad means the installation would not require new land clearance.
The design includes measures to minimise visual impact, with panels set back from boundaries and screened by vegetation and structures. The site's previous use as a tractor shed area suggests the land is already disturbed, potentially reducing landscape concerns.
The export of any surplus power to the national grid could contribute a small amount of renewable energy to the local network, though the application indicates that no excess is expected.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
The Lake District National Park Authority will review the application and decide whether to grant planning permission. If approved, the solar array could be installed at Moorgate Farm, providing clean energy for the farm's domestic use.
Should the authority raise concerns about visual impact or other planning issues, the applicant may need to adjust the design or provide additional information. The outcome will depend on the authority's assessment of the proposal against local planning policies.
If permission is refused, the farm may seek alternative ways to generate renewable energy or continue using conventional power. The decision could also set a precedent for similar small-scale solar installations on farms within the national park.
Source: nwemail.co.uk
