Powering a greener future

Asland Walks Energy Park Planning Queries

1. Project Overview and Purpose

  1. The Proposal: Construction of the Asland Walks Energy Park (AWEP), comprising wind, solar, and battery storage infrastructure.
    • AWEP 4.2 MW wind turbine
    • AWEP 12 MW ground-mounted solar
    • AWEP 2.5 MW / 5 MWh battery (BESS)
    • Bretherton Battery (BESS) – estimated capacity 2,000 kWh
  2. The Goal: To generate zero-carbon energy to decarbonise the Bretherton community and GA Pet Food’s operations (aiming for Net Zero by 2050 and halving carbon emissions every decade), and provide a secure and resilient energy supply.
  3. Emissions: The site is estimated to offset 7,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to taking 500 petrol cars off the road for a year.
  4. The Partnership: A joint venture between GA Pet Food Partners and Bretherton Energy Co-op Limited (representing the community).
  5. Lifespan: The operational life of the renewables is 40 years, after which they will be decommissioned, and the land returned to agriculture.

2. Site Location and Constraints

  1. Location:  The “Asland Walks” site covers 39.57 hectares, located between the River Douglas and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, south of Bank Bridge (Tarleton) and north of Eyes Lane (Bretherton).
  2. Local Focus: The project is exclusively sized for GA Pet Food Partners and the Bretherton Energy Co-op to prioritise direct local consumption over grid export profits.
  3. Strategic Location: To avoid the high costs, transmission losses, new pylons and long lead times associated with offshore infrastructure, the energy source must be located close to the point of use.
  4. Alternative locations closer to the factory were discarded due to critical constraints: Sites B and C (north and east of Plocks Farm) were ruled out due to interference with overhead transmission cables and underground pipeline easements.
  5. Twenty-seven different studies have been used and submitted within the December 2025 planning submission.

3.  Solar Energy

  1. Panels: Approximately 17,000 panels covering 11 hectares.
  2. Orientation: Panels are oriented East-West (rather than South).
  3. This creates a smoother energy profile throughout the day to match business demand and reduces the physical footprint.
  4. Grazing: Panels are mounted with a clearance of 0.9m to allow sheep to graze underneath.
  5. Output: Rated at 12 MW, providing an estimated annual generation of 11 GWH/yr.

4. Wind Energy

  1. The Wind Turbine: Installation of a single Enercon E-138 wind turbine.
  2. Height: The hub height is 111m, with a total tip height of 179.8m.
  3. Location: The turbine has been appropriately sited in line with telecommunications, noise, ecological and river boundary constraints.
  4. Design Change: The height was reduced from an original proposal of ~200m to satisfy aviation safety requirements for BAE Warton Aerodrome.
  5. Output: Rated at 4.2 MW, with an estimated annual generation of 14.7 GWH/yr.

5. AWEP Battery Storage (BESS)

  1. Capacity: A 2.5MW / 5 MWh battery system (2-hour duration) to store surplus wind/solar energy and stabilise supply.
  2. Location: Housed in a group of containers painted Moorland green, sited on a raised platform for flood protection within a secure compound on the north edge of the solar array: the BESS is screened by a new ‘flood bund’ landform and planting.
  3. Safety: The BESS has an in-built fire suppression system along with a nearby 25,000-litre dedicated water tank for firefighting.
  4. Benefits: By using the BESS to support existing local grid connections (11 kV and LV), the project avoids the need for “oversizing” infrastructure or building extensive new pylon corridors.

6. GA Usage and Benefits

  1. Preliminary data analysis: Suggest that 65-70% decarbonisation of GA’s electrical demand would be achieved.
  2. Continued improvement to site energy efficiency and further assessment of recent 2025 usage data estimate that a 4.2 MW wind turbine, combined with approximately 6 MW of solar generation, will be sufficient to achieve 100% decarbonisation of GA’s electrical demand.
  3. However, GA’s remaining ≈35 GWh/yr of natural gas demand still requires decarbonisation. The remaining 6 MW of solar would contribute around 20% to the decarbonisation needs, addressing the equal need to decarbonise the existing gas demand.
  4. Emissions: GA accounts for ~25% of Chorley’s industrial CO2e emissions. GA aims to cut carbon emissions by 50% each decade to reach Net Zero by 2050.
  5. Carbon Savings: Estimated savings of 13,500 tonnes of CO2e, valued at £3.76m.
  6. Project Investment: Capital cost of £27 million.
  7. Russian Energy Crisis: GA’s energy costs tripled between 2019 and 2024, peaking at £13.7 million (inc. VAT). Costs fell to £8.6m in 2025 but are forecast to rise significantly by 2029 (electricity x2, gas +70%) due to increased non-commodity charges.
  8. Cost Avoidance: Buying grid energy would cost an estimated £66.2m over the period to 2040.
  9. The renewables generate £27.9 million in Gross Value Added (GVA), with £15.1m of that retained locally.
  10. Job Security: The project saves GA Pet Foods approximately £34.1m over the project life, helping secure 650 local jobs by stabilising volatile energy costs.
  11. All three grid connections have been approved by ENWL for the proposed renewable generation and electrical storage.

7. Bretherton Energy Co-op (BEC)

  1. The BEC is a community-led society established to manage the discounted renewable energy and community grants sourced from the Asland Walks Energy Park’s generation.
  2. The “Bretherton 5%”: 5% of all electricity generated will be supplied directly to Bretherton village via a dedicated cable and battery storage facility; this 5% is estimated to be twice the village’s current energy demand.
  3. Members effectively “switch” to the BEC licensed supplier. They pay a “BEC Rate” which includes discounted renewable energy plus standard grid standing charges; this includes the local school and businesses (also increasing the attraction for new businesses).
  4. Only BEC members will receive the discounted rate; non-members will continue paying standard rates to their chosen suppliers.
  5. Residents must join the BEC and have a smart meter to participate.
  6. The value of the 5% electricity to residents at the current grid electricity is estimated to be worth £129,000 if fully utilised
  7. Community Infrastructure: The new battery building will be constructed just north of the village school (designed in red brick to match the conservation area) to manage this local supply.
  8. Since GA and Bretherton lie within the same electrical network and local authority, they are uniquely positioned to collectively receive the renewable electricity generated. Due to strict electrical grid constraints and network regulations, this benefit cannot be extended to other communities, as they fall within different local authorities and electrical boundaries.

8. Community Benefits

  1. Financial Impact: Surplus energy allocated to the community that is not used will be sold to GA or the grid, with the income reinvested into local projects
  2. The BEC is committed to exploring how those impacted by the energy park but not deriving any direct financial subsidy can be involved in the development of these community initiatives and benefit from the improvements they would bring.
  3. While we understand surrounding communities will not receive these direct benefits, we believe all communities will benefit from the enhanced circular walk and environment, and through the future ecological site plans, replacing the current intensive agriculture with the 175% net gain in habitat units across the site.
  4. We believe the site serves as a blueprint for business and community collaboration. As an exemplar site, it demonstrates how shared goals of energy independence and environmental stewardship can be replicated across other communities and industries.

9. Landscape and Ecology

  1. Biodiversity Net Gain: The project forecasts a 175.05% net gain in habitat units over a 60+ acres area through the creation of new wetlands, hedgerows, rewilding scrubland, habitat enhancement for ground-nesting birds, and species-rich grassland.
  2. Detailed surveys identified 21 bird species displaying breeding behaviour, including three Schedule 1 species (barn owl, Cetti’s warbler, and kingfisher). The assessment concludes that there will be no significant disturbance to non-breeding birds during construction or operation, given the existing baseline use of intensive arable farming.
  3. Minimal Collision Mortality Risk: Collision Risk Modelling (CRM) for the wind turbine component predicts very low annual mortality rates for target species. Estimated collisions per year include 0.99 for pink-footed geese, 1.14 for lapwing, and as low as 0.01 for snipe, all within acceptable ranges when considering local populations.
  4. Lake Effect: While it’s a common concern that birds might mistake solar panels for water, intensive local surveys and safety checks confirmed that this isn’t a significant threat for this specific site.
  5. Creating “nature signposts” for wildlife: To ensure animals like bats stay on track, the project uses strategies like planting new hedgerows and maintaining “dark corridors” (unlit areas) to help them navigate the area safely and easily.
  6. Protection of Designated Sites: While the site is within a major feeding area for pink-footed geese and whooper swans, the ecology assessment concludes that no adverse impacts are anticipated for nearby statutory or non-statutory designated sites
  7. Comprehensive Species Mitigation: The ecological studies completed outline measures to protect other wildlife, including pre-construction checks for otters and badgers, and maintaining stand-off buffers from watercourses. Standard pollution-prevention and runoff-control measures will be strictly implemented to safeguard the local aquatic network.
  8. Wildlife: AWEP will also feature bird boxes, hibernaculas for wildlife winter shelter, wetland areas for amphibians and other pondlife.
  9. Screening: Advance planting of 11,575 trees and shrubs to create linear woodland and hedgerows was completed in 2022-25 to screen the site before construction begins, with a further 6,300 to be planted in the coming years.
  10. Visual Mitigation: New earth embankments (mimicking local flood bunds) will be created to screen the battery compound and solar arrays.
  11. Local Engagement: A visitor centre and knowledge boards with information about the local heritage sites, history, wildlife, and live generation data from the Energy Park is now established at Asland Walks.

10. Shadow Flicker

  1. Shadow Flicker – Although 30 dwellings to the north of the site technically exceed the model limits (over 30 minutes per day and/or 30 hours per year), three of these will not experience effects in practice due to factors such as window position or existing screening.
  2. Mandatory Mitigation: A shutdown scheme for the affected dwellings to reduce flicker will be in place to eliminate any shadow flicker impacts.
  3. Technical Solution: Mitigation is achieved through technical solutions, such as a light-intensity detection system that stops the turbine during specific dates and times when shadow flicker is geometrically possible, and the sun is bright enough to cause it.

11. Noise

  1. Comprehensive Evaluation of Noise Sources: The noise assessment analysed both the construction and operational phases of the proposed wind turbine and solar farm, including associated equipment like the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), inverters, and transformers. A visual review video of the consultation study is available at:
  2. Adherence to Established Standards: Predicted noise levels were calculated using industry-standard methodologies, including BS 5228 for construction, ETSU-R-97 (DTI 1996) for wind turbine operations, and BS 4142 for solar farm electrical equipment.
  3. Low Impact on Residents: The study concludes that noise levels at the nearest residential receptors, Longland Farm, Glynwood House, Red Bridge Farm, and Barrowford House, will be within the threshold limits set out in the Established Standards. Mitigation measures, such as temporary acoustic screening, will be used during construction activities near residences to maintain privacy and minimise noise.
  4. Proximity to homes: While there is no statutory minimum separation distance in the UK, the turbine has been sited over 500m from the nearest residence. This aligns with industry best practice to ensure that any potential noise or shadow flicker impacts are removed.

12. Community Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts

  1. Stakeholder Engagement and Support: UCLan research conducted through focus groups and interviews in Bretherton revealed an approximate 70% approval rating for the project among engaged community members.
  2. Positive Community Sentiment and Prioritisation of Local Benefits: Across all three focus groups held between November 2024 and March 2025, participants expressed general positivity and support for the Asland Walks Energy Park (AWEP) project. Residents consistently prioritised broad community-wide benefits, such as supporting local retirement homes, creating youth infrastructure like bike paths, and establishing a community shop or pub, over individual personal financial gain.
  3. Emphasis on Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact: While participants valued the environmental benefits of the project (e.g., carbon reduction, habitat enhancement, and tree planting), the research found that social and socio-economic impacts were the primary drivers for community engagement. Stakeholders highlighted potential benefits, such as reduced electricity rates and improved community cohesion through local projects like litter-picking and planting schemes.
  4. Consultations: A number of public consultations have been conducted to ensure transparency and provide full project details. This included two formal sessions held as part of the Bretherton Neighbourhood Plan, a dedicated consultation event in Tarleton for the Parish Council area, and presence at several Bretherton Village Fetes.
  5. Communications: Brochures and formal letters are being posted to all nearby residents during February 2026. This timing was designed to ensure shared information was finalised and accurate following the planning submission. Additionally, all AWEP reports, assessments and studies are publicly available on the BEP website to ensure full transparency.

13. Glint and Glare

  1. Impact on Residential Amenity: The study assessed 39 dwellings. While most are unaffected due to existing screening, a moderate impact is predicted for one residence (Dwelling 6), where glare is expected for more than three months per year. Mitigation, in the form of tree planting, has now been completed in this location to obscure views of the panels.
  2. Aviation and Road Safety: No significant impacts were identified for transportation infrastructure. For Carr Valley Airfield, predicted reflections were categorised as having a “low potential for temporary after-image,” which is deemed acceptable under industry guidance. For BAE Warton, as this is over 10km directly north of the solar array, no significant impacts are expected. For the A59 road, while reflections are geometrically possible along a 0.9km section, existing vegetation and terrain are predicted to significantly obstruct the view, resulting in no impact on road safety.
  3. Reflectivity Characteristics: The solar panels are designed to absorb light for efficiency, making them less reflective than common materials like glass or steel. Studies cited in the report show that the intensity of reflections from solar panels is similar to or less than that of still water and significantly lower than the reflectivity of white concrete or snow.

14. Carbon Payback

  1. The energy generation figures for this project demonstrate a significant contribution to renewable energy targets, far outweighing the carbon cost of manufacturing.
  2. While manufacturing requires energy, the “carbon payback time” for wind and solar is typically 1–3 years. For the remaining 35+ years of the project’s life, it generates zero-carbon electricity, actively displacing the need for coal or gas generation.
  3. The site is estimated to offset 7,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to taking 500 petrol cars off the road for a year.

15. Property Value

  1. Studies by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) & Renewable UK (2014), and by ClimateXChange, found no consistent evidence that wind farms reduce property values within a 5km radius, with some local prices even exceeding county averages.

16. Agriculture

  1. Protecting High-Quality Soil: A survey was undertaken to ensure the project avoids the best quality farming land (“Best and Most Versatile”) whenever possible, with all solar panels installed on the lowest grade soil; proposed to be installed primarily outside the grade 1, 2, and 3a soils.
  2. Continued Farming: The land isn’t being “lost” to food production. The Asland Walks fields will be grazed, sheep will continue to graze underneath the solar panels, and as part of the management of the 60 acres of habitat bank.
  3. Temporary Use: The project seeks consent for a 40-year period of operation. After that, all equipment will be removed, and the land will be fully restored to its original state.
  4. Better Soil Health: Moving away from intensive agricultural production and chemical fertilisers will improve the soil structure and organic content of the soils for future generations.
  5. Biodiversity Gains: The project will transform “low-value” farmland into a thriving ecosystem, resulting in a 175% increase in habitat and a 162% increase in hedgerows. These will be maintained for a minimum of 30 years.
  6. New Habitats: The plan includes creating ponds (wet scrapes), woodlands, wildflower meadows, and safe nesting areas for birds.
  7. Underground Cables: To avoid taking up productive land, all transmission cables will be buried underground. Once all cables are laid, the ground will be restored to its previous agricultural use condition (soil, grass, or paving).
  8. Strategic Placement: Cables are confined to the edges of fields, following existing tracks and hedges to minimise disruption.

17. Bretherton Battery Storage (BESS)

  1. The Bretherton battery is a core component of the “Bretherton Energy Co-op,” allowing local residents to access the 5% stored green energy at significantly reduced tariffs.
  2. The battery helps the project meet regulatory and grid stability requirements with ENWL, ensuring a smooth feed-in to the local electrical network.
  3. The BESS unit is equipped with built-in fire-suppression systems and thermal monitoring.
  4. A dedicated hydrant water supply capable of ≥1,900 L/min will be in place for the Bretherton BESS, with outlets and couplings aligned with Lancashire FRS requirements
  5. To minimise visual and acoustic impact, the building is assessed as introducing only a minor change that does not rise to the level of harm, as it will be constructed in red brick with a pitched roof to match the adjacent conservation area.

18. Flood Risk

  1. The Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) addresses the impact of the solar farm. Standard industry findings (and the FRA’s approach) acknowledge that while solar panels are impermeable, they are mounted on frames over permeable grassland, meaning the overall site does not become an “impermeable surface” like concrete or asphalt, and the water will percolate into the ground.
  2. The development is designed to ensure post-development run-off rates do not exceed existing greenfield rates. The site is considered at low risk from most sources due to the presence of existing flood defences.
  3. The FRA specifically modelled the Ribble Estuary Tidal 2014 scenarios. It accounts for the tidal nature of the River Douglas and concludes that the development should include raised inverters and transformers to 6mAOD, ensuring they will be safe, and the development will not increase flood risk elsewhere (downstream).
  4. The assessment confirms the site is largely protected by defences

19. Visual

  1. The landscape is not considered “pristine” but is already characterised by urbanising elements such as the GA Pet Food factory, existing wind turbines on Mawdesley Moss, and high-voltage pylons. Consequently, the proposed turbine and infrastructure will be viewed in conjunction with these existing vertical features rather than as isolated structures in an untouched setting.
  2. The Landscape & Visual Appraisal (LVA) uses the nationally accepted methodology, notes and the strategic guidance commissioned by Lancashire County Council (LCT 16), which classifies the “Mosslands” area as having “Low Sensitivity” to wind energy. This guidance specifically affirms that larger-scale wind energy developments are considered appropriate within this landscape type.
  3. A comprehensive landscape strategy is in place to mitigate visual impacts, including the creation of flood bunds and the planting of over 11,500 trees and shrubs. Once matured, this planting is designed to filter views and effectively screen the solar arrays, battery compounds, and security fencing from key viewpoints such as Sollom.
  4. Assessments note that “atmospheric perspective” (haze) significantly reduces the contrast and clarity of the turbine over long distances, rendering it less intrusive than theoretical line-of-sight models suggest. Specific assessments for receptors like Barrowford House determined the visual effect to be “Moderate Adverse” rather than “Major” due to distance and existing screening

20.Heritage

  1. Physical Impact on Tarleton Bridge: The development requires a temporary and reversible physical impact on the Grade II-listed Tarleton Bridge to facilitate construction access. This will be mitigated through a programme of historic building recording followed by structured deconstruction and reconstruction, resulting in “less than substantial harm” to the asset.
  2. Impact on Bank Hall Setting: The assessment determines that the introduction of a wind turbine will cause “less than substantial harm” to the significance of the Grade II* listed Bank Hall due to its impact on the asset’s setting.
  3. Landscape Character and Screening: The solar panel array is assessed as having no impact on heritage assets, as it will not be prominent in the low-lying landscape; any views will be screened and filtered by existing and maturing vegetation.
  4. Wider Heritage Protection: The study concludes that the development will not harm other designated or non-designated heritage assets in the search area, including the Bretherton and Sollom Conservation Areas.

21. Access

  1. Construction: General traffic will enter via Meadow Lane/Eyes Lane to the south of the site to prevent any congestion on road networks.
  2. Abnormal Loads: The three 68m long turbine blades will be delivered via the A59 at Bank Bridge. This requires temporary works, including the removal of the bridge parapet (to be reinstated post-delivery). Delivery of the abnormal loads would be made over one night to prevent any congestion on road networks.
  3. Public Access: New footpaths will be created to link Eyes Lane to the canal and river paths, creating circular walking and cycling routes.

22. Planning Policy

  1. Demonstration of Very Special Circumstances (VSC): The report acknowledges that the project constitutes “inappropriate development” within the Green Belt under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). However, it concludes that the substantial benefits, including renewable energy generation, carbon emission reduction, energy security, and the significant biodiversity net gain, outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, thereby establishing the “Very Special Circumstances” required for approval.

23. Turbine Efficiency and Operation

  1. A single 4.2 MW Enercon turbine is projected to generate 14.69 GWh/year, outperforming the site’s 12 MW solar array, and sufficient (when combined with solar) to fully decarbonise GA Pet Foods’ electrical demand.
  2. The system ensures reliable, year-round power by pairing the turbine (which peaks in winter) with solar generation (which peaks in summer) and stabilising the output with a 5 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and flywheel technology.
  3. Validated by three years of on-site Lidar wind measurements, the turbine is designed with a low “cut-in” speed of 2.7 m/s, allowing it to generate electricity effectively even in light wind conditions.
  4. By generating power near the point of use, the turbine avoids the transmission losses and massive infrastructure costs associated with offshore or remote wind farms
  5. The actual physical footprint of the turbine and its associated infrastructure is exceptionally small, occupying only 0.45% of the total application site area