One of the UK’s most notorious prisons – Parkhurst – is looking to go green with a plan to install a solar farm to provide nearly 20% of its energy.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has submitted plans to the Isle of Wight Council to build a solar-powered farm at the Parkhurst site of HMP Isle of Wight, on the outskirts of Newport.
It would consist of 300 photovoltaic panels, arranged in 5 banks of 4×15 panels, on a field outside the main prison complex.
The farm will share a boundary with HMP Parkhurst, close to the now-closed HMP Camp Hill.
A cable from the solar farm would be laid into the prison, connecting to the main switchboard, so the prison can use the renewable energy created. The farm would have the capacity to generate 19.14% of the prison’s yearly energy demand.
Planning documents say the field, was, at a site visit earlier in the year, heavily overgrown with brambles and other vegetation.
Around the panels, seeds would be planted to provide wildlife habitat, using native and naturalised small shrubs to avoid causing any shadows, including species-rich grassland.
A landscape opinion, provided as part of the planning documents, by Land Use Consultants said there would be no more than minor effects on the character of the local landscape and visual amenity.
Those at greatest risk of adverse effects from the proposed development are said to be users of the paths within Parkhurst Forest and residents along the north of Noke Common. although the view will be heavily filtered by vegetation and ‘seen in context’ with prison buildings.
Boundary fences around the farm are also proposed, but painted green.
To view the plans, 21/01534/FUL, you can visit the council’s planning register. Comments will be accepted until Monday 6th September.
Wouldn’t it be far better to grow crops on that field to feed ourselves rather than producing CO2 importing food from abroad? Solar panels can be put on rooftops.
Theoretical “Capacity” is a very different beast to “Actual generation”
The first refers to the amount which could be supplied under ideal conditions. The second is the actual amount generated
It’s been ‘green’ for years. They grow it in the forest and harvest it when out on agricultural working parties….