Crewe Alex given green light for 'sustainable' solar car park development

Apr 09, 2023

By Ryan Parker

1st Jun 2023 | Local News

Crewe Alexandra Football Club have been given the green light for a 'sustainable' solar farm car park development - 'tackling the challenges of climate change."

Cheshire East Council approved Crewe Alex's plans to construct a solar car-port for Mornflake Stadium Car Park, Gresty Road, on Wednesday 31 May.

The project will see 3,000 solar panels constructed above parking spaces - with potential to make the club net carbon negative.

This green energy generated will provide car park users and local residents with access to electric vehicle charging points.

It will also provide a new revenue stream to Crewe Alexandra over the long-term.

Crewe Alex director, Tony Davison, was "delighted" with the club's solar farm approval - confident the development will "bring money into the club."

Mr Davison told Nub News: "I am delighted the solar farm been approved and we can now move forward with the plans.

"There is no timescale yet for when the development will begin.

"We will look at the details again and get the project up and running.

"The long-term idea behind this project is to make Crewe Alexandra self-sufficient - selling the energy on to third parties to bring money into the club.

"This approval is a good first step towards achieving our goal which will benefit the club and local residents."

Each Gresty Road parking space will be sheltered by a structure which contains a solar panel, with a number featuring charging points for electric cars.

This could also be useful for visiting supporters who have travelled large distances to games.

The energy generated could be used to power the stadium, or sold to a third party, or to the National Grid to provide an ongoing source of income.

Cheshire East's planning officer was satisfied with Crewe Alex's proposals - believing the development was "acceptable" and "sustainable."

A statement read: 'The proposed development would create a solar PV array that would contribute to tackling the challenges of climate change, lessening dependence on fossil fuels and benefitting energy security.

"These benefits would accord with the Framework's renewable energy provisions, which indicate that the delivery of renewable, low carbon energy is central to the economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development.

"In terms of sustainability, the benefits of the provision of a source of renewable energy, for which there is a recognised need are accepted.

"The proposal would satisfy the economic and social sustainability objectives by providing energy from a renewable, low carbon source.

"The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of landscape, amenity, ecology, flood risk, heritage and highway safety.

"The scheme therefore represents a sustainable form of development and the planning balance weighs in favour supporting the development."

Crewe Alexandra's solar farm development will produce electricity for use at the football ground.

READ MORE: Large UK footwear retailer set to relocate into former Crewe restaurant chain unit.

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