More than 5,000 homes are set to be powered by solar energy, thanks to a proposed new solar farm in Warmingham.

Cheshire East planning officers have recommended that the scheme off Drury Lane, which would provide approximately 17 Megawatts (MWp) of electricity at its peak generation, be approved at Wednesday's (January 27) meeting of the borough's strategic planning board.

The 26 hectare site would therefore have the capability to power approximately 5,200 homes annually.

In a pre-meeting report to councillors, planning officers said: "This 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."

The plans have also received "in principle" support from Warmingham Parish Council.

In a letter to CEC, it said: "The PC supports this application in principle but would strongly suggest that mitigation is put in place for those properties affected most by the development and that the traffic adheres to the submitted traffic management plan.

"The PC have concerns that this is the location of a third solar farm in the village and that any future requests for further planning of such may lead to overdevelopment, spoiling open countryside."

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The proposals will be discussed by CEC's Strategic Planning Board at 10am on Wednesday 27 January.