Solar farm bid follows ‘months of consultation’
PLANS INCLUDE WILDIFE CORRIDORS AND IMPROVED ACCESS FOR WALKERS
PLANS for a new solar farm that could power more than 17,500 homes have been submitted.
Renewable energy specialist Exagen hopes to set up the solar farm and battery storage facility if the plans are approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
If built, Old Wood Energy Park will be able to generate the equivalent of enough electricity to power a quarter of the borough. The proposals would see the site built on low-grade agricultural land to the west of the village of Wysall – but not part of the green belt.
Andrew Mott, head of planning and Environment at Exagen, said: “Rushcliffe has set out ambitious targets to help the borough achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Our Old Wood Energy Park will make a significant contribution to meeting that goal, displacing 22,455 tonnes of CO2 each year.
“The UK’S last coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-soar only a few miles away will be decommissioned soon. This project represents a symbolic, local opportunity to help the UK switch away from polluting fossil fuel power to quickly-generated solar energy.”
Electricity stored or generated onsite can be directly fed to the National Grid through existing power lines, which will help avoid additional costs.
Exagen have been working on the planning application for the past two years, and hope to also put several special measures in place to enhance the landscape and wildlife.
These include preserving all existing trees and hedgerows around the site, and an additional 2.5km of hedgerows to fill any gaps. There will also be four hectares of new grassland planted with wildflowers, and green corridors so that smaller wildlife, such as rabbits, can freely pass through the site.
However there will be traditional eight-foot wooden post stock fencing to keep deer away from the panels. Exagen also plans to maintain all existing footpaths and increase the amount of land accessible to walkers.
Exagen’s community engagement officer, Sam Warne, said: “We want to work with residents and local councillors to ensure this project makes a positive contribution to the environment in every sense. We’ve already made changes to our plans in response to some of the early feedback we’ve received, particularly around public rights of way.”
Mr Mott added: “This planning submission is a culmination of months of engagement and consultation. Our team have gathered input from local communities, council officers and external stakeholders to shape our project for the better. We’ll continue to listen to residents and councillors as our application progresses.”
After speaking with local councillors and more than 100 residents, the distance between Bunny Old Wood and the proposed solar farm site has also been increased.
The site will now be around 100 feet from the woods at its closest point, and will be set at least one field back from Bradmore Road, which passes to the east of the site.