Solar farm could be built in Keighley

Investigations have begun into the viability of constructing the state-of-the-art facility.

Property consultancy Eddisons has been appointed by Bradford Council to assess costs, funding and potential designs.

The location of the proposed site has not been formally disclosed.

Eddisons – which just this year launched a new division to manage infrastructure and decarbonisation projects for both public and private-sector clients – is also investigating the viability of a second solar farm in the district, which would be built on land near Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

That site was originally earmarked for a solar farm development as part of a proposed £50m transformation of Bradford Bulls' home into the largest covered stadium in the country, along with a new rugby league skills centre. But the plan failed to attract levelling-up funding from the Government.

Eddisons’ head of sustainability and decarbonisation, Nazar Soofi, says the two schemes combined would provide a major boost.

He adds: "Large-scale green energy projects like these could be a really significant development for Bradford Council in helping it reach its net zero goals.

"Over the coming months we will assess the viability of the project and the funding structure that would ensure it makes best use of public money.

"These are both brownfield sites with some contamination of the land. The development of solar farms, which would generate significant levels of renewable energy, would potentially be an innovative use for them and marks out Bradford Council as being ahead of the curve on green issues. We will have a conclusive answer on completion of the feasibility studies."

If the solar farms get the green light and obtain planning permission, it's anticipated construction work will start next year and the facilities would be operational by 2026.

Javid Patel, who heads up Eddisons' public sector team, says: "Naz’s knowledge and expertise in delivering decarbonisation projects and helping steer clients’ sustainable and environmentally-conscious practices is invaluable.

"Our new infrastructure team is fully equipped to advise on and manage projects from energy centres, highways and telecoms, through to nuclear power stations. We have seen an immediate demand for our services across both the public sector, with schemes such as Bradford’s potential solar farms, and among private sector clients with infrastructure issues to manage."