An application has been submitted by RES to Stafford Borough Council, in north-west England, seeking planning consent for a 30MW solar project.
If approved the Leaford solar project could deliver a 74% net gain in biodiversity.
The site is located on land between Stallington and Saverley Green.
RES proposed an extensive range of biodiversity measures including the planting of wildflower meadows, native trees and over 2 km of new hedgerow as well as hedgehog houses, bee banks and bird boxes – all of which will create vital resources for wildlife and give a significant biodiversity boost to the site if the project is granted consent.
The solar farm would also include energy storage which will help to increase the flexibility and generation opportunities of the site.
In addition, detailed environmental and technical studies have been undertaken to assess the site and considerable design changes made in response to community consultation.
These include reshaping the layout to reduce potential visibility from Fulford village and Saverley Green Road and repositioning the site entrance to prevent any tree loss.
Claire Chamberlain, Development Project Manager for RES, added: “With the recent State of Nature Report confirming a 19% decline in average species abundance across the UK since 19701, it’s critical that we start prioritising biodiversity – and solar farms are a great way of doing this.
“Projects like Leaford Solar Farm not only deliver a significant boost to biodiversity – but are sustainable in other ways.
“The low intensity regime of a solar farm means that soil quality is given the chance to regenerate, helping to ensure the continued availability of high-quality agricultural acreage for future generations.
“The site has been carefully developed to fit sensitively into the local landscape whilst also maximising the clean, low cost renewable electricity that it will generate.
“We believe that the proposal is much improved as a direct result of the community feedback received, and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with us and share their views.”