Group opposes 200-acre solar farm near fell
BBCA group says it will "not sacrifice" its local fell after plans were put forward to build a 200-acre solar farm in the area.
Belltown Power said it wanted to create Cobra Castle Solar Farm, which could generate electricity for about 15,000 homes, on land north-east of Egremont, below Dent Fell.
A planning application for the farm, which could be one of the largest in the UK in terms of land area, is to be submitted later this year.
Karl Connor, from Save Dent Fell Group, said the site would "change the landscape forever" and would "ruin it for generations to come".
Belltown Power said during its 40-year licence the land would "maintain its greenfield classification and at the end of its lifespan, all infrastructure will be removed and the site can be restored to its original use".
It added it would fund £680,000 towards community projects over the solar farm's 40-year licence.
In January, the energy industry said it expected more plans to emerge to convert countryside into solar farms after the government pledged to treble the UK's capacity to generate solar power over the next five years.
Oliver Dorgan, from Save Dent Fell Group, said: "We fully support net-zero and this isn't about being against any project."
Mr Dorgan said the group "welcomed Belltown Power coming forward and outside investment".
"What we don't accept is sacrificing Dent Fell and the very important role that it plays for our community."
Mr Connor said the farm would "go so far up into the fell" and believed it would "change the landscape forever".
"I've grown up here, my children have grown up here and generations in this area have enjoyed the foothills of Dent Fell - it is a beautiful part of the country to walk in.
"This is going to ruin it for generations to come."
Belltown Power said agricultural use of the land, such as sheep grazing, would be able to continue once the site was running.
It added it the project would include "new hedgerows, active grassland management and wildflower meadows".