Lancaster University solar farm granted planning permission

By Tim Aldred

04 Mar 2022

A 21-hectare solar farm which will help Lancaster University achieve net-zero status has been granted planning permission by Lancaster City Council.

A planning application for the 16.5MW photovoltaic solar farm was submitted by Lancaster University in October. It will be built on land owned by the university at Forrest Hills.

As well as generating green energy that will be used to power its Bailrigg campus, the solar farm will save approximately 2,654 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent to 600 standard cars being taken off the road each year.

The approved plans allow around 36,000 panels to be installed in the land adjacent to Proctor Moss and the River Conder, which has previously provided grazing land and open countryside. The plans include a landscaping scheme to enhance the hedgerows and woodland, protecting views from local walkers and creating an environment that will support wildlife and increase biodiversity.

The land is also used by Green Lancaster, a collaborative initiative between the University and Students’ Union aimed at engaging with staff and students on sustainability focused projects and activities.

Paul Morris, director of capital projects and estate development at Lancaster University, said: "Lancaster University is already the highest producer of renewable energy of all UK universities and has already reduced its electricity and heating emissions by 50 per cent since 2005.

"The solar farm will reduce our ‘scope 1 & 2’ emissions further, seeing a reduction of our utility-related emissions by more than 40 per cent, which is a critical strategic step in our drive for net-zero.”

Some concerns were raised during the consultation phase around glare from the solar panels, in particular in relation to the nearby M6 motorway. Assessments by technical specialists were carried out to explore glint and glare impacts, which concluded that M6 road users would not experience reflections due to the distance, landform, hedges and trees.

Each 1.75metre high, dual-facing, panel will be arranged in rows 8.7metres in length with 3m gaps between each row. The panels will be connected to a series of small inverter stations and a substation that will be clad in stone and slate to fit with the surrounding environment.

The University worked with consultants, Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) during the planning phase to co-ordinate the consultation process and subsequent planning application.

Helen Clarkson, associate director for planning and development at CBRE, said: "Gaining the planning permission needed for the development of this site is a strong step forward for the university, and for Lancaster City Council.

"The proposals received a notably high level of support throughout our consultation and the case for the development was strong. The result will secure Lancaster University’s place as a leading pioneer university in the UK for environmental sustainability and we look forward to commencing the next stage of the project.”

With planning permission now granted, the next stage of the project is to plan the delivery phase. The university supports a preferred supplier framework that considers local contractors, their carbon footprint and their ability to ensure the contractor is awarded fairly and responsibly.

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration Collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks announce strategic collaboration

09 Sep 2025

2

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme Brian Moore, Lee Johnson, Anne Williamson and Andrew Leeming

High street retailers urged to ‘take advantage’ of new funded support programme

08 Sep 2025

3

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions Mark Adlestone And Anna Blackburn Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks invest in the high street in difficult conditions

08 Sep 2025

4

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual NW Mutual chief exec Dave Burke and Valerie Wise and Matthew Brown from Preston City Council

Preston City Council invests £250,000 in NW Mutual

08 Sep 2025

5

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results Jeremy Hartley

Profit before tax doubles for Eric Wright Group in latest results

08 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin