Forty-five solar panels could be erected on agricultural land to help reduce carbon emissions.

Damien Grundy applied to Rossendale Council in October to erect the solar panels on agricultural land in Bishops Court, Cowpe, Rossendale.

An application form states that the plan is to place 45 solar panels covering an area measuring 15m x 8m on the agricultural land on free standing ballasted PV mounting trays filled with loose stone to weight them on the ground to deter movement.

The area of 15m x 8m will be fenced with a picket/ranch type wooden fence to deter the sheep from disturbing the panels.

Lancashire Telegraph: Where the solar panels would beWhere the solar panels would be (Image: Council)

The application form reads: “The solar panels required cannot be fitted on the roof of the house due to the design of the house and the area required to face south.

“The reason to move to solar panels is to reduce the needs for the use of fossils fuels and as it chiefly relies on the sun, the primary way solar energy positively impacts the environment is that it reduces carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.

“Unlike fossil fuels, solar power uses no pollutants and needs no other resources to function other than clean water.

“The site is currently agricultural land where sheep graze and we are (supported by Rossendale Council) earmarking an area to have trees planted to also encourage a regeneration of wildlife and biodiversity in the valley.

“We have an aim to not only reduce carbon emissions and rely less on fossil fuels but with additional of the solar panels and trees capture carbon, reduce flood risks, stabilize soil, clean the air, provide shade and shelter for animals by not only feeding live-stock but creating homes to encourage endangered species such as birds, insects, butterflies, hedgehogs and bats.

“This is also supported by Rossendale's council ambition to plant a tree for every child in the valley.”

The plans will now be considered by the council and a decision made in due course.