Plans for a West Cumbrian solar farm with over 20,000 panels has been given the go-ahead.
Anesco Ltd’s application for the development, on land next to Ewanrigg Farmhouse on Ewanrigg Lonning in Maryport, was approved by Cumberland Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
The solar farm will span 19.7 hectares of agricultural land in two separate arrays and be operational for 40 years.
It will take around 40 weeks to erect the panels.
Maryport Town Council objected to the proposal due to the visual impact of the development and members said they felt there were other, more suitable locations for it.
Edward James, Anesco’s agent, told the planning committee that it was a sustainable development which represented a clear and substantial public benefit, contributing to the UK’s energy security.
Members were told that screening would help mitigate the visual impact and on balance it was felt that the application was acceptable.
Cllr Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dem) proposed that they accepted the recommendation to grant planning permission but Cllr Carni McCarron-Holmes (Maryport North, Labour) said there were regular flooding issues in the local area.
Cllr Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) seconded Cllr Dobson’s proposal to grant planning permission, because it was contributing to renewable energy, and added: “I think our area is playing its part.”
He said the town council had observed that other areas may be more suitable but added: “On balance this is a development we should have.”
Cllr John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said he was in favour because it ticked all the boxes for him and added: “We will always get some objections for some reason. I am quite happy to support it.”
When it was put to the vote it was unanimously supported by members of the committee.
