Aura Power secures planning permission for Litchardon Cross Solar Farm in Newton Tracey

Aura Power have been granted planning permission for a solar farm proposal at Litchardon Cross, Newton Tracey, North Devon, UK. The solar farm will generate enough electricity to power 12,700 homes, thereby saving 15,800 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year.

Litchardon Cross Solar Farm will be built without subsidy, and will therefore compete with fossil fuel generation on a level playing field. By increasing the supply of power, the solar farm will help to reduce national power prices, whilst securing regional investment and jobs.

Aura is proposing to set up a Community Benefit Fund of GBP350 (US$489.4) per MW per year, for the lifetime of the solar farm. This could amount to GBP17,500 (US$24,471) a year for 35 years or over GBP612,000 (US$855,782) in total. GBP2,000 (US$2,796.7) a year would be set aside for educational sessions with local schools and site visits to the solar farm, with the remainder being shared between the parishes of Horwood, Lovacott and Newton Tracey, Fremington and neighbouring parishes, used for social and environmental community projects.