Plans have been unveiled to cover another 21 acres of farmland on the western edge of Penrith with solar panels to generate electricity for the Omega Proteins factory on Greystoke Road.
The proposals would see two new solar farms built on land at Bell Mount Farm, off Mile Lane, and Sewborwens Farm, alongside Greystoke Road, adding to an existing 12-acre solar development already approved by Westmorland and Furness Council.
If the latest plans are approved, around 33 acres of land to the west of Penrith would be used for solar energy generation, with a combined generating capacity of almost 12 megawatts to help power the neighbouring Omega Proteins plant.
The latest proposals have been put forward by Thornton Meat Company Limited, the land and property development arm of Leo Group Limited, which owns Omega Proteins.
The larger of the two proposed sites would cover 13.6 acres at Sewborwens Farm, on the northern side of Greystoke Road, close to the historic Greystoke Pillar. It would have a generating capacity of approximately 4.6 megawatts.
A second solar farm covering 7.7 acres is proposed at Bell Mount Farm, south of Mile Lane, with a generating capacity of around 2.75 megawatts.
The two developments would sit alongside a previously approved 12.1-acre solar farm immediately west of the Omega Proteins factory, where work has already started following planning permission granted under application 21/0752.
Together, the three sites would have the potential to generate approximately 11.85 megawatts of electricity, which the developer says would meet a significant proportion of the factory's power requirements and reduce its reliance on electricity from the national grid.
The development plans show rows of solar panels covering the two additional fields, surrounded by security fencing and CCTV cameras. Underground cables would carry electricity directly to the Omega Proteins site.
The developer says existing trees and hedgerows would be retained, with additional planting to help screen the panels from surrounding roads and properties.
Particular attention is being given to the Sewborwens Farm site because of its proximity to Greystoke Pillar, the Grade II* listed historic monument beside Greystoke Road. Additional screening is proposed along the southern and western boundaries of the site.
The proposals would also allow sheep to continue grazing beneath and between the solar panels, with the developer saying the land could remain in agricultural use while generating electricity.
A separate battery storage system is also being considered for the Omega Proteins plant, potentially allowing electricity generated during daylight hours to be stored for use overnight. However, this is not part of the current solar farm proposals.
Before submitting a formal planning application, the developer is launching a three-week public consultation on Friday 6 November, giving residents an opportunity to examine the plans and have their say.
Andrew Watt, of Maze Planning Solutions, which is organising the consultation, said: "We are consulting neighbours, ward councillors and the wider community early to enable the developer to understand local views as a planning application is prepared for the solar farm development."
He added: "There will be a further opportunity to make representations directly to Westmorland and Furness Council on any subsequent planning application that is made. We expect that application can be submitted in the coming weeks."
The planning application is expected to include assessments of the impact on the surrounding landscape, agricultural land, wildlife, archaeology and nearby heritage assets, along with proposals for biodiversity improvements.
If permission is granted, construction of the two additional solar farms is expected to take between six and nine months, with work beginning as soon as possible following approval.
The developer says the solar farms would not be illuminated during operation and would require only occasional maintenance visits.
The public consultation opens on Friday 6 November and closes at 5pm on Friday 27 November 2026.
Residents can view the proposals and submit comments through Maze Planning Solutions' consultation website or by emailing solar@mazeplanning.co.uk.
Any comments submitted during this consultation will go directly to the developer rather than Westmorland and Furness Council. Residents will have a further opportunity to comment formally when the planning application is submitted.
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