Scawby Brook Solar
Farm

Proposed Development

The proposed development would comprise a 49.9-megawatt (MW) solar array and a supporting battery energy storage system (BESS), to collect and store excess energy during times of lower demand, before releasing it back into the grid when demand is at its highest.

The development would generate and store renewable energy, which will be exported into the electricity network to power homes and businesses in the locality and across the UK. The development would be temporary in nature, with an anticipated lifespan of 40 years, after which time the Site would be decommissioned and restored back to full agricultural use.

The development would comprise the following key elements across the fields:

  • Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and associated support frames and cabling.
  • Inverter & transformer stations.
  • Access tracks.
  • Security fencing; and
  • CCTV security cameras and supports.

 The BESS compound would be located within the existing industrial area to the north-east, and would include the following elements:

  • Battery storage units – and associated infrastructure.
  • Control buildings.
  • Access tracks.
  • Security Fencing.
  • CCTV security cameras & supports;
  • Cable connection to electricity grid (which would extend out from the site and be sought through a separate planning application).

Transport and Access

The proposed solar array would be installed in four distinct plots across several fields to the north and south of the railway line. The northernmost plot, along with the BESS compound and office/welfare area, would be accessed via the existing access to the renewable energy plant. The three plots to the south would all be accessed via the existing agricultural accesses from Scawby Road, which would be upgraded as part of the development.

Visual Impact

The proposed development would be supported by a landscape and visual appraisal, which will assess the impact of the development on the landscape and on views from local homes and highways.

The structures proposed as part of the development are low in height (for instance, the PV panels will typically be about 3m tall), meaning that they can easily be hidden from view by vegetation.

The flat and low-lying topography of the area means that several views are already obscured by existing vegetation. Additional woodland and hedgerow planting proposed as part of the development will offer additional screening of the structures from view. The visual impact of the development is therefore expected to be low.

The proposed landscaping would include:

> Neutral grassland/pasture – in the areas that the solar panels are proposed;
> Species-diverse grassland – around the peripheries of the solar areas; and
> Native woodland/hedgerows – along the boundaries of the Site.

This landscaping will deliver new habitats and provide significant ecological/biodiversity benefits. As mentioned, the landscaping will also help to visually screen the Proposed Development, by removing or softening views of the development.

Construction and Operation

The construction period for the solar array is anticipated to last approximately 52 weeks, including testing and commissioning. This would include the construction of a temporary site compound; the installation of the solar panels, BESS and other infrastructure; and landscape planting. Appropriate restrictions on construction hour /deliveries would be placed on any forthcoming planning permission to avoid disturbance.

The vast majority of traffic associated with the development would be during the 52-week construction period. Appropriate restrictions on delivery times will also be implemented as part of any planning permission.

The access and parking would be designed to ensure that the safety and efficiency of the local highway network is maintained at all times.

During the operational phase, once construction is completed, there would be very little traffic to and from the site. The only traffic would be vehicles associated with equipment maintenance, grass cutting and landscape maintenance.

Ecology and Biodiversity

Our planning application will be supported by an ecological assessment and calculations of the Biodiversity Net Gain that would be delivered by the scheme. The ecological assessment will identify existing habitats and/or species on the Site and put forward appropriate mitigation to avoid/minimise harm to ecology and biodiversity.

At present the majority of the Site is used for agricultural purposes. Typically, arable farmland such as that currently found on the Site presents a very low ecological/biodiversity value. Given this, the Proposed Development is expected to deliver significant ecological/biodiversity benefits by delivering large areas of species-diverse habitats, which hold a much higher ecological value. The new habitats compromise grassland, woodland and hedgerow, all of which would promote biodiversity.  

Next Steps

Our planning application will provide the full results of all our relevant assessments, including:
 
> Visual impact
> Ecology
> Traffic & transport
> Noise & vibration
> Flood risk & drainage
> Heritage & archaeology
> Glint & glare
If you have any feedback on the proposals you would like us to consider, please consider submitting a form

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