Livos subsidiary Voltis Renewables has been given planning permission for a 41MW solar project in County Durham.
Restorations made to trees and hedgerows will increase screening while providing much-needed shelter and food resources for local wildlife. There will also be the introduction of a wildflower meadow area to encourage local pollinators and species-rich grass mix will be sown across the whole site to encourage soil health.
The development has had praise with County Durham receiving 105 letters of support and praise by the councillors for work undertaken with the local community.
An annual payment of £15,525 will be established through a local community benefit fund on top of any usual business rates to contribute to the wider Durham community.
The landowners commented on the project: "We believe that this project presents a remarkable opportunity to produce electricity locally whilst allowing the land to rest by restoring to grass and allowing us to expand our current sheep rearing enterprises and increase biodiversity across the farm.
"It's a path that allows us to expand our farming operations, maintain a more sustainable and financially viable approach, and, most crucially, empowers the next generation to make decisions that serve the farm's best interests".
