EDF Renewables UK has submitted the planning application for a 50MW solar farm in Northamptonshire in England.
The application for the Glassthorpe project, between the villages of Flore and Upper Heyford, has been submitted to West Northamptonshire Council for a decision.
The submission comes after more than a year of preparation, including a consultation with members of the public, ecological and feasibility surveys, and detailed site assessments which helped determine the final design of the solar farm.
As a result, there will be fewer solar panels near to footpaths and these will be set at a distance of at least 10 metres away.
Panels to the west of Midshires Way have been removed, with remaining panels in this part of the site positioned behind the hedge and screened from view.
EDF Renewables has also proposed a new temporary construction site access that avoids using the junction in Upper Heyford.
As well saving over 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, EDF said Glassthorpe would also deliver a community fund of £20,000 paid annually for the 40-year lifetime of the project, providing flexible funding to support local priorities such as educational initiatives, biodiversity schemes and new kit for local sports teams, for example.
Improving biodiversity on site is a “key objective”, EDF stated, with the detailed plans showing a significant improvement in wildlife habitats across the site would be achievable by planting 1.3 km of new hedgerows, as well as creating a new wildflower meadow and scrub.
In the longer term, EDF Renewables UK is also looking to install EV charging points near to site to help the local community transition to electric vehicle ownership.
EDF Renewables development head Darren Cuming said: “This is an excellent site for a solar farm, as it’s suitably sunny, with an agreed grid connection, and the area is well screened.
“We are grateful to local people for their input into the consultation and ongoing engagement, and our aim is to be a good neighbour to the community.”