FAQs

Urgent action is needed to achieve net zero and address the challenge of climate change.

Generating renewable energy is a key part of that commitment. Solar farms are a simple and established technology providing a source of safe and clean energy which produces zero emissions when in operation.

Solar projects have a low visual impact potential if designed correctly, have no moving parts, meaning maintenance requirements are low through the lifetime of the project, and are considered ‘temporary’ as they are decommissioned at the end of their lifetime (40 years).

Biodiversity enhancements, and ongoing agricultural use of the land (animals such as sheep can continue to graze the land around solar panels) means that this technology can easily operate alongside traditional land uses.

Site selection is a critical part of the solar farm development process. Our selection process is based on a number of factors including the availability of export capacity to the Local Distribution Network (the ‘grid’) and the distance of the facility to the point of connection, proximity to sensitive receptors (such as residential properties), topography, current use of the land and the opportunity for vehicle access.

The proposed development site is considered suitable to accommodate a proposal of this scale and nature.

To assess the potential impact on the landscape and visual receptors, a Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment has been prepared for the proposal. Over time, the visual impact from the solar farm will be reduced further with careful management of existing trees and hedgerows and any additional required.

The land we propose to use can continue to be used for agricultural purposes (such as for grazing sheep) or for biodiversity enhancement opportunities following installation of the panels. The site will be operational for 40 years, after which it will return to its current use.

Prior to selecting this land, we undertook a full review of the potential brownfield land in the area. Unfortunately, the land that existed was either already being used or was not suitable in size to be a viable option. In terms of rooftop solar, this has a vital role to play in achieving net zero but unfortunately is currently unviable for many households due to the high upfront costs, or the shape/material of older/pitched rooftops.

Solar farms are quiet energy generating facilities. They have very few moving parts and as such require less ongoing maintenance and generate little noise or vibration. Noise modelling and assessment works have been undertaken to ensure that the proposal does not result in adverse changes to baseline noise conditions.

Solar farms result in minimal disturbance to the ground and can play a role in enhancing local biodiversity, for example through planting a range species rich wildflower mix in field margins, creating a more diverse habitat and creating pollen rich margins for bees and butterflies.

We are fully committed to providing biodiversity enhancements across the site whilst allowing continued public access, this is a key aspect of our application to compliment the wider net zero gain.

The vehicle movements throughout the construction phase of the development will be detailed in the Construction Traffic Method Plan, this forms part of our planning application. Our own initial findings suggest the construction phase of the development will not impact the existing road network.

Longer term, once operational, traffic movements will minimal, with the site being visited for occasional routine maintenance.

You can get in touch with us using our contact form on the contact us page.

We will be updating our website, keeping you updated on our progress and next steps.