It says that the development could generate 5.5 megawatt of energy, enough to power around 1,650 homes.
The 37-acre site, which Costain has owned since the early 1960s, is near Sipson Road and Holloway Lane in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Originally used for gravel extraction, it was subsequently leased in 1966 to the Greater London Council who used it for landfilling refuse and excavated material. The land was sealed and reinstated in 1972 before being returned to Costain.
Due to its poor state, says Costain, the land has since been unused and undeveloped. However, the updating of the National Planning Policy Framework has made a solar farm a viable proposition as local planning authorities are encouraged to identify suitable areas for renewable resources and support renewable initiatives.
"A number of projects have been looked at over the years but none of them were viable,” said Ian Shervell of Costain's investments team. “We believe the solar farm ticks all the boxes.
“The intention is to seek planning permission to develop a solar farm which will not only generate green renewable energy but also enhance the site's poor biodiversity and ecology.”
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