Plans drawn up for large substation on farmland

Proposals for a large electricity substation at a farm in Leicestershire have been drawn up.

NatPower UK Limited is considering developing an 80 hectare (197.6 acre) site at Lambcote Hill Farm, south of Walcote, near Lutterworth.

The firm has lodged documents for the project, called Swinford Energy Park, with planners at Harborough District Council.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the site was described as agricultural land, partly developed with two wind turbines, which form part of the wider Swinford Wind Farm.

Planning documents say the scheme will include a 400kV transmission substation connected to overhead power lines with a 1GW battery energy storage system.

The company has asked the council whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is needed for the development ahead of applying for planning permission.

An EIA sets out whether a proposed project is likely to have significant effects on the environment and what mitigation might be needed for them.

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