PLANS to create a solar farm at the base of one of Barnsley’s biggest employers have been approved by Barnsley Council.

The application was submitted to the council in September for the solar farm to be added to Premier Foods Bakery, on Fish Dam Lane in Carlton, which employs almost 700 people across the town.

The firm’s strategy seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

The proposed solar farm would provide enough energy to meet up to 50 per cent of the bakery’s energy needs.

It will have approximately 2,974 separate panels over a 2.87-hectare site - the equivalent of four football pitches.

A report states: “The site is mainly laid to grass with field boundary hedges.

“There is no evidence that the site has been used for agriculture.

“Access to the site would be secured through the existing Premier Foods site.

“The proposal allows an existing major business to achieve increased operation efficiencies to support their business as well as their commitment to addressing the net zero agenda.

“It has been accepted that the land owned by Premier Foods is held for their employment use and will not be made available for housing development.”

No objections were received during the consultation process and the solar farm will be surrounded by perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras.