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Toilet Waste Threatens Massive 80-Hectare Solar Farm in Seaham Grange
8 Oct
Summary
- Environment Agency raises concerns over temporary toilets during solar farm construction
- Company says toilets will not connect to water drainage system, managed by licensed contractor
- Project has received over 100 letters of support and 50 objections from the community
As of 2025-10-08T18:26:39+00:00, a plan for a massive 80-hectare (200-acre) solar farm in Seaham Grange, near Sunderland, is facing an objection from the Environment Agency (EA) over concerns about potential pollution from temporary toilets during the construction phase.
The EA stated that it had concerns about the temporary toilets that would be installed during the construction of the Seaham Solar Park project, which is being developed by Elements Green Renewables. The agency has asked the company to resubmit the application with details on how "foul effluent will be disposed of".
In response, Elements Green Renewables has informed the EA that the toilets will not be connected to the water drainage system and will instead be managed by a licensed contractor. The company says the solar park has been designed to last 40 years and would make a "meaningful contribution to local renewable energy generation, supporting County Durham's net zero ambitions".
The project has received a mixed response from the local community, with Elements Green Renewables reporting that it has received more than 100 letters of support and 50 objections to the scheme. The company feels this reflects a "broad level of community backing for the proposals".
Meanwhile, Natural England and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have both stated that they have no objections to the Seaham Solar Park project. Additionally, a local Labour city councillor, Helen Glancy, has expressed support for the scheme, but has asked the company to add a path for dog walkers to use.
