Planners back solar farm near airport
LDRSPlans to fit solar panels to a building close to an airport have been agreed after it was concluded there would be no risk to pilots flying overhead.
A scheme to install 300 solar panels to the roof of a building at Aviation Point near Blackpool Airport has been given the go-ahead by Blackpool Council.
Concerns were raised by the nearby airport about possible glare from the panels on on Amy Johnson Way impacting pilots operating in the area.
However, a glint and glare assessment has shown there would be no impact and the airport did not object to the application.
If glare from the solar panels became a problem in the future, action could still be taken to resolve it, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
A council report setting out the decision said a glint and glare assessment had been provided and confirmed as acceptable by Blackpool Airport.
The airport suggested a condition requiring the operator of the solar panels to stop their usage if glare becomes an issue, it said, but added this was covered under the Air Navigation Order.
"As such, it is not considered necessary to repeat this in a planning condition," it said.
"Overall and on balance, it is considered that prior approval can be granted in relation to external appearance, particularly impact from glare."
Meanwhile, plans were submitted last year for a solar farm on land south of Blackpool Airport's main runway, to generate its own renewable electricity.
Documents were submitted in August to Fylde Council for the scheme which means one of the airport's two runways, which is much less used for flights would be lost.
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