MORE than 5,000 homes are set to be powered by solar energy, thanks to a proposed new solar farm near Crewe.

Cheshire East planning officers have recommended that the rural scheme, which would provide around 17 Megawatts of electricity at its peak generation, is approved at tomorrow's (January 27) meeting of the borough's strategic planning board.

The 26-hectare site, which is next to Drury Lane between Leighton and Warmingham, would have the capability to power approximately 5,200 homes annually.

In a report to councillors, planning officers said: "This would contribute to tackling the challenges of climate change, lessening dependence on fossil fuels and benefitting energy security.

"These benefits would accord with the Framework's renewable energy provisions, which indicate that the delivery of renewable, low carbon energy is central to the economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development."

The plans have been welcomed "in principle" by Warmingham Parish Council.

But in a letter to Cheshire East it said: "The council would strongly suggest that mitigation is put in place for those properties affected most by the development and that the traffic adheres to the submitted traffic management plan.

"The council has concerns that this is the location of a third solar farm in the village and that any future requests for further planning of such may lead to overdevelopment, spoiling open countryside."

The proposals will be discussed by Cheshire East Council's Strategic Planning Board.