A SOLAR farm to provide energy for 6,000 homes could be built in Furness.

Noventum Power says it is devising plans for a 19.4 hectare development on farmland near Askam.

The company says the plans are due to be submitted for council approval soon.

According to details shared as part of public consultation, the company claims the plan will help create green electricity and support national and local targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

The planned development follows other controversial projects previously envisaged for the area with proposals for a holiday resort near Roanhead beach attracting objections over fears for the nearby landscape and wildlife.

But Noventum says the Bleabeck solar farm would not compromise the surrounding land.

(Image: Noventum Power)

In an online document, the company said:  "The 19.4 hectare site is set back from the surrounding road network and is partially screened with mature hedges and trees, affording the potential for further habitat creation which will provide a biodiversity net gain as part of the development.

"Neither the site nor the surrounding open countryside fall within 'protected' areas.

"This means the site is not within a National Landscape Area (previously known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Green Belt, or any ecologically protected area such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest or Nature Reserve.

"The proposed access will connect to Lots Road which is located to the north of the proposed development.

"The site is comprised of open land within the countryside, currently in agricultural use, the site has been used for sheep grazing for an extended period of time.

"The site is wholly located within Flood Zone 1 and in an area of very low risk of
surface water flooding."

According to the early plans, the site would feature several solar arrays with a height of up to 3 metres and would station noisy equipment away from homes.

The site is due to take six months to construct if plans are approved.

Spelling out the potential benefits of the site, Novemtum said it would produce enough green electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 6,000 a year and support the UK and Westmorland and Furness Council's transition to net zero.

It also said the site would 'increase UK domestic energy production increasing our energy security and reducing reliance on less politically palatable regimes' and provide biodiversity gains and boost soil health.