Bird club objects to floating solar farm plans
GooglePlans for what has been described as the UK's largest floating solar farm have been opposed by a bird club.
Associated British Ports (ABP) previously said it wanted to install 47,000 panels covering about a third of the available water area of Cavendish Dock in Barrow, Cumbria, and connect it to the BAE Systems network.
Cumbria Bird Club objected to a planning application, stating the area forms an "important" habitat for birds.
The applicant said potential adverse effects on the Site of Special Scientific Interest would be "insignificant", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
In a planning consultation, Cumbria Bird Club said the water body had a "long history" of birds, such as waders and wildfowl, using it as a feeding and resting place.
"It forms an important part of the habitat not only for resident species but also for migrating birds that depend on stopover sites to rest and feed on their migratory journeys," the club's response read.
However, plans stated the proposed development would provide "enhancements" to improve roosting and breeding conditions.
These included increasing foraging resources and refuge areas for certain bird species.
Westmorland and Furness Council is considering the planning application.
Construction of the proposed development could start this summer and is estimated to take about nine to 12 months to complete.