RES has submitted a planning application for its 50MW Nuneham solar farm to South Oxfordshire District Council in England.
The proposed project, located in Nuneham Courtenay, has been through a detailed design process, with results from site surveys and assessments, in addition to feedback from the community and stakeholders, helping to shape the final design.
Changes that have been made during the project’s development include the removal and relocation of solar infrastructure which has led to a reduction in the overall size of the site to ensure it fits sensitively into the existing landscape.
Public rights of way which cross the site have also been considered with solar infrastructure set back a minimum distance of eight metres, while new planting proposed along sections of the footpaths to reduce potential visibility of the solar farm whilst retaining the existing agricultural views to the north of the site.
The solar farm has been specifically designed to enable continued prime agricultural use in the form of sheep farming alongside the production of renewable electricity.
Claire Chamberlain, Development Project Manager at RES, said: “Enhancing local biodiversity is important to RES as demonstrated by a comprehensive Landscape Masterplan which we have submitted alongside our planning application.
“This sets out immediate and long-term commitments to manage planting and other landscape measures and shows how our Nuneham Solar Farm proposal has the potential to deliver a biodiversity net gain of 70%.
“Solar projects are quick to deploy, enable more energy to be generated domestically improving security of supply and contribute to Net Zero targets.
“They are also the cheapest form of new electricity generation, alongside other renewable technologies, which makes developments like Nuneham not just good for the environment but for the consumer too.”
If consented, the project would include the creation of 2.7 km of new native species-rich hedgerow and native tree planting, including enhancement to existing hedgerow.
As well as providing screening to reduce potential visibility, the planting will provide wildlife corridors and vital resources for mammals, birds, and insect species.