Decision details

To seek approval for:-
a) A budget of £30,000 for immediate technical feasibility work to establish the viability of the Wrigley Head Solar Farm proposal (see separate Officer Delegated Decision Report)
b) Subject to the above work indicating project viability, a further budget of £137,000 for detailed feasibility and project development for Wrigley Head Solar Farm
c) To take part in a Greater Manchester consortium ERDF bid, comprising four Local Authorities and Energy Systems Catapult as the Lead Partner

RESOLVED - That:
Option 2 – Proceed with feasibility and project development work and join the GM ERDF bid consortium The Council would participate in the UCEGM consortium bid for ERDF funding, led by ESC, and will continue the feasibility work and the further development of the planning application, subject to confirmation that Energy Systems Catapult have received legal advice advising them that their proposed approach is eligible

Option 1 - Do nothing: The Council would not seek to invest in renewable energy at the site, and would not contribute to GM targets to make the city region carbon neutral by 2038, and this site could not contribute to the Council’s stated ambition to make ourselves ‘carbon neutral’ by 2025.
Option 2 – Proceed with feasibility and project development work and join the GM ERDF bid consortium The Council would participate in the UCEGM consortium bid for ERDF funding, led by ESC, and will continue the feasibility work and the further development of the planning application, subject to confirmation that Energy Systems Catapult have received legal advice advising them that their proposed approach is eligible
Option 3 – Proceed with feasibility and project development work without joining the GM ERDF bid consortium The Council would not participate in a consortium bid for ERDF funding, but will continue the feasibility work and the further development of the planning application, as set out in this report.

Option 1 - Do nothing: The Council would not seek to invest in renewable energy at the site, and would not contribute to GM targets to make the city region carbon neutral by 2038, and this site could not contribute to the Council’s stated ambition to make ourselves ‘carbon neutral’ by 2025.
Option 3 – Proceed with feasibility and project development work without joining the GM ERDF bid consortium The Council would not participate in a consortium bid for ERDF funding, but will continue the feasibility work and the further development of the planning application, as set out in this report.

In consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, People and Place