stargoose solar energy farm...• it is recognised that the site is good quality agricultural land...
TRANSCRIPT
Stargoose solar energy farm
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Contents
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Solarcentury is proposing to install a solar energy farm on the Childerley Estate. We are consulting the community on these proposals before submitting a planning application to South Cambridgeshire District Council.
• We believe this is an excellent site for a solar farm: the land is flat, the area has good solar irradiation, and it is close to the electricity transmission and distribution network.
• Under normal circumstances we would host public information events on the project in the local community, but we’ve decided not to do that at this time because of the possible risk to public health. Instead, we are conducting community engagement online, through the post, and over the telephone.
Introducing Stargoose solar energy farm
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The site
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Project summary
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• The proposed site is two fields on the Childerley Farming Estate totalling 65 hectares. Around one-third of the site will be dedicated for habitat, biodiversity and landscape improvements.
• The site entrance will be from the existing track which goes to the Childerley Estate farmyard.
• The solar energy farm will have a maximum output capacity of 60GWh, which could power up to 18,000 homes every year.
• The proposal includes a series of batteries that can store energy and feed it back into the grid at times of high demand.
• We are proposing a combined generation and storage system because decarbonisation of the UK’s energy supply and the replacement of fossil fuel generation will require more sophisticated energy systems that store energy for use whenever it is needed – day or night.
• Stargoose Solar Energy will be constructed, owned, operated and maintained by Solarcentury.
Project summary
18,000 HOMES
10–25°
3m
1.5m
HECTARES
65
18,000
60GWh
60GWh
18,000 HOMES
10–25°
3m
1.5m
HECTARES
65
18,000
60GWh
60GWh
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Developing the project
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• The development will consist of rows of solar panels mounted on racks of metal poles, typically up to 3 metres above the ground depending on terrain and tilted between 10 to 25 degrees.
• There will be approx. 6-8 metres between the rows of panels. The metal poles will be pile driven or screwed into the ground to a depth of around 1.5 metres.
• Connection to the grid will be made at a pylon close to the site. The connecting cable will run underground.
Developing the project
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Do not scale from this drawing. Do not use any information without checking dimensions on site. Check thisdrawing is the latest version. Do not reproduce all or part of this without prior consent. E-mails of thisdrawing shall not be used as a contract document unless subsequently validated by a handcopy and issuesheet.All work and materials to be to current codes of practice and British Standards unless stated otherwise.
London SE1 0NW90 Union Street
T +44 (0)20 7549 1000
F +44 (0)20 7549 1001
Revisions:
Rev Date Comments Chkd.Dwn.
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15/12/20 Removed details of HV Compound CL SG
26/10/20 Adapted to topography survey CL SG
03/11/20 Updated Layout CL SG
19/11/20 Updated HV and Battery layouts CL SG
10/12/20 Moved compounds CL SG
Chkd:Dwn:
Title:
Project:
Location:
Rev:
Date:
Client:
Scale:
Drg No. :
Solarcentury
Childerley, Cambridge52.244566°N, 0.013262°WSCUKX-CHILD-000
Stargoose Energy Layout
CL SG 1:5000 @A3 23/07/20
SCUKX-CHILD-000-100 H
Notes:
1. All dimensions are indicative and in mm unlessotherwise stated
2. Any deviations to be recorded and communicated toSolarcentury
3. Design complies with GS6 regulations for OHL andHSG47 for underground services
4. For HV Compound detail, refer toSCUKX-CHILD-140
5. For Energy Storage Compound Details refer toSCUKX-CHILD-283
PROPOSAL ONLYNOT CDM 2015 COMPLIANT
Key Plan (1:100000)
LEGEND
Access Track
Site Boundary
Deer Fence
Solar panelframework
Tree
OHL
Access Gate
Underground Cable toelectricity pylon (Grid reference TL 34162 62891)
Exclusions zone from badger sett
Temporary constructioncompound
HV Compound and BatteryStorage Dedicated Area
Sub stations - Solar Arrays(refer to SCUKX-CHILD-282for detail)
RAL6005 colourreference
18,000 HOMES
10–25°
3m
1.5m
HECTARES
65
18,000
60GWh
60GWh
18,000 HOMES
10–25°
3m
1.5m
HECTARES
65
18,000
60GWh
60GWh
18,000 HOMES
10–25°
3m
1.5m
HECTARES
65
18,000
60GWh
60GWh
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Environmental considerations
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• When developing a solar energy farm, environmental assessments are undertaken to inform the planning application, identifying potential impacts and mitigation measures.
• There are existing trees and hedgerows that will form good visual screening, and we will undertake additional planting around the site boundary. Our Landscape Plan will outline this in detail.
• An Ecological Survey and Habitat Report will form part of the planning application. This report will identify our plans to improve biodiversity and safeguard existing ecological habitats.
• It is recognised that the site is good quality agricultural land as is most agricultural land in Cambridgeshire and this part of the East of England. This does not preclude a solar energy farm being developed on the site for a temporary period.
Environmental considerations
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Preliminary proposal
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Access
• Once operational, solar energy farms generate almost no traffic. During the construction period, traffic will be routed away from the local villages of Boxworth, Lolworth and Dry Drayton.
• The proposed route is to approach the site from the south, as shown on the draft landscape ecological plan.
• During construction, there may be some disturbance on some days. This won’t last long and our aim is to keep it to a minimum, including restrictions on working hours. Most deliveries will be completed in the first eight weeks of the construction timetable.
• A management plan will be agreed with the Council in advance, which will include details of how you can contact us in the event of a problem.
Preliminary proposal - initial thoughts
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PLANNING
Solarcentury
Solar FarmChilderleyCambridgeshire
Construction Traffic Routing
CTP-20-810 SK04 -
1:500 13/11/20 KPS CE CE
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INDICATIVE
Notes:
1. Do not scale from this drawing. All dimensions are inmetres, unless stated otherwise.
2. Ordnance Survey, (c) Crown Copyright 2020. All rightsreserved. Licence number 100022432.
Key:
Site Location (approximate)
Construction Traffic Route
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Biodiversity and habitat
• The land where the solar farm is to be located is two fields currently used for arable crops.
• The proposed development would maintain all existing vegetation around the site such as trees and hedgerows and the land which is currently farmed will be overseeded with species-rich grassland to enhance biodiversity and to improve the soil quality long term.
• Details of proposed new landscaping will be submitted as part of the planning application and will include screening from the nearby public rights of way. Planting proposals will be in keeping with the local landscape character and include native hedgerows and trees. Consideration is also being given to planting a new woodland.
Preliminary proposal - initial thoughts
Ecology plan
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FFiigguurree 22:: BBiiooddiivveerrssiittyy MMiittiiggaattiioonn aanndd HHaabbiittaatt EEnnhhaanncceemmeenntt PPllaann
KEY:
Unimproved grassland
Childerley, Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Mitigation and Habitat Enhancement Plan DRAFT
Woodland Planting
Wildflower meadow
Finch and corn bunting mix
30m badger sett exclusion
Tree-mounted bat box
New/enhanced hedgerow
15 standard nest boxes for birds to be installed in boundary trees.
15 standard nest boxes for birds to be installed in Peacock Plantation.
15 standard nest boxes for birds to be installed in boundary trees.
15 standard nest boxes for birds to be installed in boundary trees.
Barn owl nest box
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Landscape and views
• The solar farm would be located on relatively flat agricultural land with few surrounding sensitive receptors such as residential housing. We believe that any views from other important receptors, such as the footpath, can be screened with a combination of existing trees and hedgerows and new trees and hedgerows, and possibly the planting of a small woodland.
Flood risk
• The site is within Flood Zone 1, as such there is no risk of flooding.
Preliminary proposal - initial thoughts
Landscape plan
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Most views arescreened by densevegetation
Views in at field gap.Potential to extendhedgerow alonggreen lane
Registered Park and Garden(sensitive location).However, limited views fromwithin although views wouldbe present from the edge ofthe woodland
Large highlyvisible barn
Possible to redirectfootpath west of
existing hedgerow tominimise views
Woodland post constructionfollowing removal of compound
would reduce visual impact
Infill existing gappy hedgerowand plant 30-40m deep
woodland buffer to provide aneffective visual barrier from
PROW.
Proposed trees andhedgerow along boundary
provide a visual screenfrom the PROW
Views of the site fromPROW
Open views into thesite from PROW
Views of the sitefrom PROW
Views of the sitefrom PROW
Allow existing hedgerow to grow upto3m in height and gap up where
required to reduce views into the site
Views of the sitefrom PROW
Views of the sitefrom PROW
No views fromLolworth
Views of the sitefrom road
No views of the sitefrom Childerley Estate
Views of the site fromBattle Gate second floor
No views fromKnapwell
Partial views fromPROW
No views fromBar Hill
No views fromDry Drayton
Client:
Project:
Drawing Title:
Drawing No:
Copyright of awSCAPE Ltd
Childerley Solar Farm
Solar Century
Proposed landscape mitigation
AW0106-PRE-001Date:Jan 2020
Scale:NTS@A3
© Crown copyright and database rights [2020] Ordnance Survey 0100031673
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Community and wider benefits
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• We are committed to supporting communities near the solar energy farm and will be discussing with South Cambridgeshire District Council and the local parish councils what else we can do to support local community and environmental projects.
• The Business Rates generated by the project will also make an important contribution to the Council’s Renewable Fund. This contribution is estimated as £140,000 per annum at current Business Rates for renewable energy projects.
• Research has shown that solar farms can improve the diversity and abundance of broad-leaved plants, grasses, butterflies, bumblebees and birds, including those with conservation status. Therefore, we are planning to increase the biodiversity on the site by taking action to improve habitats for wildlife.
Community and wider benefits
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Next steps
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• The online consultation will remain throughout the development of the Stargoose solar energy project. Initial feedback for the pre-application stakeholder consultation will though close on 5th February so that a report can be prepared for South Cambridgeshire District Council.
• Solarcentury will consider all feedback received up until finalisation of the planning application, which we expect to submit in February 2021.
• If the development receives planning permission, site preparation will begin in 2021. Installation of the solar farm
will take approximately 6 months.
• We will update our website over the course of the development of the Stargoose solar energy project and you will be able to find links to more detailed plans as they become available. Our planning reference will be provided here once the planning application is submitted.
Next steps
Onlineconsultation
JAN2021
FEB2021
JUNE2021
Planningpermission
Planningapplication
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Solarcentury 90 Union St London SE1 0NW UK
0330 363 6229
www.solarcentury.com
Contact us
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