Plans are being drawn up to develop a large solar farm in North Somerset which will have the capacity to power nearly 15,000 homes.

Belltown Power has earmarked land near Congresbury for the project to generate renewable energy and support local sustainability initiatives.

The site, known as Oldbridge, is being brought forward by Belltown Power and will meet the equivalent energy needs of approximately 14,564 homes per year.

Belltown Power is an established clean energy company at the leading edge of project development in the UK. Founded in 2013 by a team of highly experienced renewable energy professionals, it has successfully delivered over 200MW of now operating wind, solar, and hydropower capacity across Scotland, Wales, and England.

Prior to submission, Belltown will be holding a community engagement event on Wednesday, March 19, from 2.30pm at the Old School Rooms in Congresbury. Once the site is operational, Belltown will be providing a community benefit and education fund of £600,000 over the lifetime of the project.

This funding will help support local initiatives such as rooftop solar on community buildings or conservation projects, as well as funding for local primary schools to visit the sites and hold classroom workshops.

Solar farms don’t just generate clean electricity and help tackle the climate emergency, they have the potential to become havens for wildlife, increasing local biodiversity. Enhanced landscaping including new trees and hedgerows will both screen the site and provide valuable habitats for a wide variety of animals.

New wildflower meadows and beehives will support pollinators, alongside insect hotels and bird boxes.

Antoine Vandenborre, from Belltown Power, said: “We are very much looking forward to speaking to members of the community about our plans for Oldbridge.

“If approved, this solar farm will provide much-needed renewable energy, helping to decarbonise the electricity network and support North Somerset Council in meeting its net zero carbon emissions targets.”

A planning application for a new solar farm near Congresbury will be submitted in late spring/early summer to North Somerset Council.