EXCLUSIVE

UP TO 20,000 solar panels could be erected on land between Maryport and Flimby. 

UKEG Clay Cross Ltd has applied for planning permission to Allerdale council to create the 15ha solar park on land off St Helen's Lane in Flimby. 

The power generated would be pumped into the National Grid. 

Don Lord, the North East firm's managing director, said the park had originally been commissioned by Eastman Chemicals.

He said: "When the company closed its factory we decided to go ahead and get permission to build.

"Solar parks are being built like this more often now. We sell the power into the National Grid and, eventually, could sell the park itself. 

"There are investors interested in these developments. Often they are pension funds, for instance, interested in an investments with no moving parts and little maintenance."

The proposed park would be sited off St Helen's Drive in Flimby, about 1.2km south of the village and half a kilometre north west of Seaton.

It would comprise 20,000 8ft solar panels mounted.

The park could provide power for up to 1,930 UK households and offset 2,220 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Mr Lord said this is his company's first foray into West Cumbria although it had been involved in major projects in the past, including one for BT.