Lark Energy obtains approval to construct solar farm in Leicestershire, UK

Lark Energy, a UK-based solar development and construction company, secured the planning permission to develop a 32MWp solar farm in Leicestershire.

Located on the former Wymeswold airfield, the project will feature 125,000 panels on land between the old runways across150 acres.

Hazel Capital was selected to provide financial assistance of £35m for the project, scheduled for construction before December 2012.

Lark managing director Jonathan Selwyn said that the company has demonstrated fast deployment of large scale renewable energy, and with the support of the local community, seeks to enable carbon reduction and energy security requirements in the UK.

"We are delighted that Charnwood Borough Council has granted us planning permission for the project at Wymeswold Airfield and look forward to working with the Council, the landowners and Hazel Capital in realising the delivery of this exciting project.

"We are committed to developing significant solar assets in the UK and continue to see a bright future for the technology in this country," Selwyn added.

Hazel Capital managing partner Ben Guest noted that this large project is a first-of-its-kind in the UK.

"We believe that larger industrial sites make great locations for solar projects going forward in the UK," Guest added.