Plans for solar farm at former Westhampnett landfill site

The almost 16-hectare former gravel works north of the A27 off Coach Road has mostly been used for grazing of cows and sheep since it was re-profiled in 2006. DPP Planning have submitted an application for the 7.5 megawatt solar farm to West Sussex County Council. A planning statement reads: “The development proposal comprises approximately 28,098 photovoltaic modules. They will be assembled into a solar array in a landscape configuration. “The arrays will be mounted on a steel frame which will sit on top of the ground. “The application also proposes a DNO (District Network Operator) building and four transformer buildings. “The existing wire mesh fencing surrounding the site will be retained as part of the proposal. “The proposals also include four energy storage containers and a switchgear container, which are located to the west of the site on the existing hardstanding. “The existing entrance into the site, from Coach Road, will be utilised. A maintenance track is also proposed, which will extend into the site from the existing vehicular entrance, and this will provide access to the DNO and other buildings in order to allow servicing, maintenance and monitoring of the development. “This will be undertaken by the District Network Operator and a maintenance contractor, both of whom will use small servicing vehicles. “The application proposals are temporary, with the planning permission lasting 25 years. Every element of the proposed development can be easily removed and at the end of the 25 year period, the site will be returned to its current state.” To comment on the application visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/planning using code WSCC/057/16/WH. What do you think? Comment below or email the newsdesk. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.chichester.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChichesterObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter @Chiobserver 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Chichester Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.