Crewe Alexandra’s green plan

underway as we strive to improve sustainability across the venue. We are always looking at ways to further reduce our carbon footprint, and installing solarpowered EV charging was an obvious step. We were drawn to Papilio3 because of the speed at which the solution could be deployed and the number of chargepoints immediately available for use by staff and visitors.

around Mornflake Stadium have no space for these charging points, but we will soon be able to offer such a facility to them. The club will also be able to offer charging points to travelling supporters. Hardly any grounds across the UK have them.”

Each parking bay will be sheltered beneath a structure which contains a solar panel, with a number featuring charging points for electric cars, which would be useful for visiting supporters who have travelled large distances to games.

We can’t wait to see the solar car parks in full use as we head into our busiest period.”

Papilio3 was launched by 3ti in May 2022 to boost the rollout of Britain’s EV charging infrastructure and help decarbonise the transport sector. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Papilio3 can be installed in less than 24 hours, requiring minimal groundwork and no new grid connection, making it the ideal solution for workplace and destination charging.

Andrew Troop, sales director at 3ti, said: “The UK urgently needs more widespread EV charging infrastructure, and we would encourage more businesses to take Silverstone’s lead by installing charging on-site. We are passionate about helping our customers achieve their sustainability targets via the use of planet-friendly solar power as we transition towards a better future of electric mobility and sustainable fuels.”

Barclays banks on solar energy

Barclays Bank is to install solar panels above car parks at its offices in Cheshire.

Cheshire East Council’s northern planning committee has approved the application from Barclays Bank to install the photovoltaic cells above 925 parking spaces at the site at Over Peover.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club have been given the green light for a solar farm car park development.

On 31 May Cheshire East Council approved the club’s plan to construct a solar car port for the Mornflake Stadium car park on Gresty Road.

The project will see 3,000 solar panels constructed above parking spaces. The solar energy generated will provide car park users and local residents with access to electric vehicle charging points. It will also provide a new revenue stream to Crewe Alexandra over the long-term.

Crewe Alexandra director Tony Davison said: “I am delighted the solar farm has been approved and we can now move forward with the plans. There is no timescale yet for when the development will begin. We will look at the details again and get the project up and running.

“The long-term idea behind this project is to make Crewe Alexandra self-sufficient – selling the energy on to third parties to bring money into the club. This approval is a good first step towards achieving our goal which will benefit the club and local residents. This project gives Crewe Alexandra a new revenue stream for the next 20 to 30 years – helping us to remain a sustainable club.

“This investment – the club’s largest in more than two decades –will make Crewe Alexandra net carbon zero. It demonstrates our commitment to being more sustainable and lowering our environmental impact, in accordance with the EFL Green Clubs initiative.

“It will improve the provision of electric car charging points in the area, which will be available for use by local residents. Terraced houses

The energy generated could be used to power the stadium, or sold to a third party, or to the National Grid to provide an ongoing source of income.

Cheshire East’s planning officer was satisfied with Crewe Alexandra’s proposals. A council statement read: “The proposed development would create a solar photovoltaic array that 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. In terms of sustainability, the benefits of the provision of a source of renewable energy, for which there is a recognised need are accepted.”

About 4,000 staff are based at the site which houses offices, Barclays Bank plc and the original Grade II listed Radbroke Hall. Barclays will install photovoltaic cells above two car parks, one to the far west and the other to the far south-east of the site, which is off Stocks Lane at Over Peover.

The committee was told new trees would be planted to replace any which had to be removed.

The application was unanimously approved by the committee but, because the proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt and is over a certain scale, that approval will be subject to consultation with the Secretary of State.