PLANS to create a solar farm on green belt fields for the next 40 years have taken a step forward.

Applicant Noventum Power had submitted a request to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department seeking a screening opinion.

This asks the local authority whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA), which ensures project decision makers think about the likely effects on the environment at the earliest possible time to avoid, reduce or offset them, is required.

This is for the creation of a proposed solar farm, along with associated infrastructure, on two fields at Duckinfield Farm, on Hurst Lane in Glazebury.

Documents state that the development would see the fields, which are on green belt land, used for the next 40 years.

There would also be an underground connection so the power could be used in nearby Culcheth.

The site is located to the south of a railway line, which would be accessed from an existing tunnel to the north of the railway.

In order to connect the solar farm to the substation in Culcheth, an underground electrical cable would be installed.

Plans add: "The proposed development will include landscaping in the form of planting in order to screen the solar farm from public viewpoints.

"The proposed planting and other measures will also provide a biodiversity enhancement.

"There will also be potential for sheep grazing between the panels during the operational period, continuing the current agricultural use of the site.

"Vehicular access will be provided via Hurst Lane, along an existing track running along the northern edge of the railway line, and through an existing tunnel underneath the bridge.

"Where larger construction vehicles are required, they can access the site via the level crossing over the railway line, which is accessed via Duckinfield Farm.

"Following the 40-year operational period, the site would be decommissioned, with equipment being removed at that time and the site returned to full agricultural use."

A full planning application is likely to be submitted before any work could begin.

The council ruled that an environmental impact assessment is not required with this development.

A decision notice reads: “The local planning authority has considered the site not to be in a sensitive area, and not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the environment.

“An EIA is only required for projects if there are likely to be significant environmental effects.

“It is therefore concluded that, based on consideration of the description of the proposed development and the site against the selection criteria, the proposal is not EIA development.”