Thurstaston Solar Farm
The arguments for our greener energy future.
We'll be providing more details as to why we believe this is good for the future of the Wirral and the UK as a whole in the coming weeks. For now, here's some first thoughts you may like to consider...• Environmental & Agricultural Benefits
• Economic & Local Community Benefits
• Strategic & National ImportanceConsider registering for our newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest information.
Environmental & Agricultural Benefits (1)
Significant Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Contrary to the idea that solar farms act as "industrial wastelands," research shows they can be wildlife havens. A study by Lancaster University and the University of York found that solar farms managed with biodiversity in mind saw an increase in the abundance of bumblebees and other pollinators.The Point: Solar farms are required to deliver a "Biodiversity Net Gain" (often targeted at 10-20% but frequently achieving much higher). The land between rows is often sown with wildflower meadows, creating protected habitats for pollinators, birds, and insects that intensive farming does not provide.
Environmental & Agricultural Benefits (2)
"Agrivoltaics": Protecting British Farming
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) supports solar energy when integrated with farming. This concept, known as "agrivoltaics," allows for dual land use.The Point: We don’t have to choose between food and energy. Sheep grazing is standard practice on UK solar farms (solar panels provide shelter for the animals from wind and rain). This provides farmers with a stable, diversified income stream that actually helps keep them in business, securing the farm's future against volatile crop prices.
Environmental & Agricultural Benefits (3)
Soil Regeneration and Recovery
Intensive ploughing and chemical fertilizer use degrade soil health over time.The Point: A solar farm typically has a lifespan of 25–40 years. During this time, the soil is left fallow (unploughed) and free from intensive chemicals. This acts as a decades-long "rest period," allowing soil carbon and structure to recover. When the farm is decommissioned, the land is returned to agriculture in a more fertile state than before.
Environmental & Agricultural Benefits (4)
Negligible Land Footprint
A common myth is that solar will "carpet the countryside."The Point: Solar Energy UK analysis shows that even if we built five times as much solar as we currently have to meet Net Zero targets, it would take up less than 0.6% of the UK's land. To put that in perspective, golf courses currently occupy more land in the UK than solar farms do.
Economic & Local Community Benefits (1)
Lowest Cost Energy Generation
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and UK government contracts (CfD), solar power is currently one of the cheapest forms of new electricity generation—significantly cheaper than gas or nuclear.The Point: High energy bills are driven by the price of imported gas. Building more cheap, domestic solar capacity drives down the wholesale cost of electricity for the entire UK grid, benefiting every bill payer in the long run.
Economic & Local Community Benefits (2)
Business Rates Revenue for Local Services
Solar farms are liable for business rates, which are paid to the local council.The Point: A medium-to-large solar farm can contribute hundreds of thousands of pounds in business rates over its lifetime. This is revenue that goes directly into the local council pot to fund local services like road maintenance, social care, and libraries—money that agricultural land does not generate.
Strategic & National Importance (1)
Energy Security and Independence
The UK government's Energy Security Strategy emphasizes the need to move away from volatile international fossil fuel markets.The Point: Every megawatt of energy we generate locally is a megawatt we don't have to import from unstable regions abroad. Home-grown solar energy insulates the UK economy from geopolitical shocks and gas shortages.
Strategic & National Importance (2)
Reversibility of Development
Unlike housing estates or warehouses, solar farms are temporary.The Point: Planning permission may be time-limited and there may well be a legal obligation to decommission the site and return it to its original state. Therefore it should be seen as a temporary "borrowing" of the land, not a permanent loss of green space.
Strategic & National Importance (3)
Silent and Passive Neighbours
Compared to almost any other development (housing, industrial units, or bio-digesters), solar farms are incredibly low impact.The Point: Once constructed, a solar farm generates no noise, no smell, no traffic (other than occasional maintenance checks), and no light pollution. They are widely considered by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to have minimal to no impact on the value of nearby properties due to effective screening (hedges) and their passive nature.
Thank you
Your registration has been completed.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for thurstastonsolar.org.uk
Last Updated: 05/01/20261. Who We Are
This website is operated by the administrators of thurstastonsolar.org.uk ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you understand how your information is used.2. Data We Collect
We do not collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as your name, physical address, or phone number unless you voluntarily submit it to us (for example, by signing up for a newsletter).However, we do collect non-personal technical data automatically when you visit our site, including:Your IP address (anonymized where possible).Browser type and version.Time and date of your visit.Pages navigated.3. Use of Google Analytics
We use a tool called Google Analytics to understand how visitors engage with our website. Google Analytics uses "cookies" (text files placed on your computer) to collect standard internet log information and visitor behavior information in an anonymous form.The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) is transmitted to Google. This information is then used to evaluate visitors' use of the website and to compile statistical reports on website activity for us.We will never use (and will not allow any third party to use) the statistical analytics tool to track or to collect any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of visitors to our site. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.4. Your Rights and Opt-Out
You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer.If you wish to opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can download the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout5. Contact Us
If you have questions about this policy or your data, you may contact us via email at: [email protected]
Attributions
Contact Us
It's possible to contact us via email using the following address:
[email protected]