Endurance Energy has received planning permission for the development of the 50MW Oakley Solar farm in Leicestershire, England.
The developer said Oakley Solar farm has been carefully designed with the input of local wildlife groups and specialist ecologists to deliver significant wildlife benefits alongside low cost, zero carbon energy.
Over 2800 new trees and 605 metres of new hedgerow will be planted, alongside 61 acres of new wildflower meadow, 166 acres of species-rich grassland and four new wildlife ponds.
In all, a biodiversity net gain of 62% is set to be achieved.
Endurance said it was pleased Charnwood Borough Council recognised the considerable community consultation efforts which went into the design of the solar scheme, listening to the concerns of local residents to deliver a project which received unanimous approval at planning committee.
Endurance Energy’s head of renewable energy and sustainability Greg Hilton said: “We are very pleased with the planning decision for Oakley Solar and we look forward to working with our investors and partners to make the solar farm and the associated wildlife benefits a reality.
“We acknowledge the pragmatic approach of the landowner and its advisors in the development of the proposals, and would like to thank Infraland for providing development support, Pegasus for planning consultancy and Meeting Place for community engagement, amongst many others who contributed to this successful result.”
The success for Endurance Energy in Leicestershire builds upon the consented solar and battery scheme at Wickham Hall in Hertfordshire.
This scheme comprises 35MW of solar farm and 20MW of battery storage and will also deliver significant wildlife benefits in the form of wildflower meadow, species rich grassland, new woodland, to give an 82% increase on biodiversity across the site.
Hilton added: “We have worked very hard to deliver a scheme at Wickham Hall which provides a significant amount of zero carbon energy, complemented by the balancing services provided by the batteries, alongside new habitats for a range of wildlife species, and over 2km of new permissive footpaths for the community to enjoy.”
Endurance Energy is now working with its investors to start construction of the Wickham Hall site by early 2025.