Community views are being sought on proposals to develop a huge solar farm capable of generating enough electricity for over 9,500 homes a year on land near St Austell.

EDF Renewables UK is seeking feedback on plans for the 47.5MW Trelion Solar Farm, north of Grampound Road and west of St Stephen.

The public consultation will run from Wednesday, January 31 to Friday, February 23, enabling local residents to provide feedback on the proposals ahead of the submission of a planning application to Cornwall Council later this year. 

In addition, two in-person consultation events are being held at St Stephen Community Centre on Monday, February 5 from 4pm to 7pm and on Tuesday, February 6 from 10am to 2pm. Members of the project team will be on hand to provide information and answer questions and all are welcome to attend. 

The Government is currently aiming for a five-fold increase in solar energy by 2035, while Cornwall Council has set a target for the authority to become carbon neutral by 2030. 

EDF Renewables UK claims Trelion Solar Farm could save around 21,598 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

A grid connection has already been secured for the project and several ecological and feasibility surveys of the site have been carried out. 

Grant Folley, head of origination and planning at EDF Renewables UK, said: “This is a great site for a solar farm, with plenty of sun and an agreed grid connection, meaning that the project is well prepared to contribute to UK climate change targets and the transition to a green energy future.”

He added that the company was “firmly committed to engaging with local residents and being a good neighbour”, with proposals to deliver local benefits during the 40-year lifetime of the solar farm.

These include a community fund of £19,000 each year to support local projects, as well as aiming for a net gain in biodiversity by maintaining existing trees and hedges and planting new ones along with a wildflower meadow.

“We are looking forward to sharing more detailed information about Trelion Solar Farm with the local community and listening to feedback about what else we can do to create a net zero future where clean energy powers our lives,” said Mr Folley.

Information about the proposal, together with contact details for the project team and an online survey for those unable to attend the consultation events, will also be available from January 31 on the Trelion Solar Farm page of the EDF Renewables UK website: edf-re.uk/our-sites/trelion-solar-farm/