Developer Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd has applied to build the facility on land west of Admiralty Way, Seaham. The proposed solar farm would power up to 3,169 homes per year.
A planning document submitted by the applicant said it would generate over eight mega watts of electricity and be in use for 40 years.
A statement read: “The proposed development comprises solar panels arranged into linear arrays. The majority of the panels would face southwest, whilst some at the northern end of the site would face south. The solar panels would be composed of photovoltaic cells designed to maximise the absorbency of the sun’s rays and to minimise solar glare.”
Enviromena added that the land could still be sued for the light grazing of livestock in between the solar panels. “Precise details have not been submitted as the application submits these opportunities are still being discussed with the landowner.,” the statement added.
Construction of the site, if approved, would last for 16 weeks. Construction vehicles would access the site from the A19 via the A182, and no vehicles would travel through Seaham or Dawdon.
The equipment would be removed and the land reinstated after the 40-year period.
No responses from the public have been received in response to the application.
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The development, near the Fox Cover industrial estate, is due to provide “clean renewable energy” to thousands of nearby homes.
Enviromena said: “The Fox Cover Solar scheme will deliver net beneficial gains for biodiversity. Solar farms have a small development footprint, with over 95 per cent of land unaffected, leaving considerable scope for biodiversity enhancements.
“Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained, protected, and supplemented by additional native species planting and the land under the arrays will be seeded with native meadow grassland species creating new habitats and ensuring significant net gains in biodiversity on the site will be achieved.”
Durham County Council’s planning committee is due to consider and vote on the planning application when it meets on Friday, January 10.