Plans submitted for rooftop hospital solar farm

Plans for a rooftop solar farm at a hospital have been submitted.

The proposals involve installing more than 600 panels on buildings within the Fieldhead Hospital site in Wakefield.

In March last year, Fieldhead, along with nearby Pinderfields Hospital and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service headquarters at Carr Gate, received a share of a £180m investment in solar energy.

They were among the first public buildings to benefit from major investment by Great British Energy, the government's state-owned energy company.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the initiative aims to cut energy bills at the sites, allowing savings to be reinvested into delivering more front-line services for patients.

Once installed, the projects are estimated to save the NHS an additional £8.6m each year, ultimately contributing up to £260m in savings over their lifetime.

An application submitted to Wakefield Council on behalf of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation states a total of 614 panels would be installed at five buildings – Horizon Centre, Learning and Wellbeing, Newhaven, Unity Centre and Ryeburn.

Fieldhead provides a range of in-patient mental health services for children and adults.

It also provides drug and alcohol abuse services as well as providing care for patients with learning disabilities.

Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, previously said: "This represents a big step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective NHS, as well as driving forward a cleaner and greener future for everyone.

"I'm proud that Pinderfields, Fieldhead and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in my constituency are benefiting from this government funding."

Wakefield Council planning officers have yet to determine the application.

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