Building a Solar Future

Solar Site: Environmental Assessments

What environmental assessments are being

undertaken?
A series of environmental assessments are currently being
undertaken to accompany the planning application.
These include:

Landscape and Visual Impact

A landscape character and visual impact assessment is being
undertaken. This assesses a range of views of the proposed solar
farm. A selection of viewpoints illustrating the location of the
solar farm is available to view at this exhibition.

Ecology
An ecological habitat survey and impact assessment has been
carried out to provide an overview of the wildlife and their
habitats which could potentially be affected by the proposed
development.

Trafc and Transport

A transport statement will be produced, which will detail the level
of construction trafc, the projected delivery timescales and the
route that construction trafc will take.

What are the project time scales?

We expect to submit a planning application shortly, when the environmental assessments have been completed.

Subject to the granting of planning permission, it is anticipated

that the solar farm would then be operational in the summer of
2014.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Solar Energy: Frequently ask questions

Will I be able to see the solar farm?

Solar panels can be easily screened by vegetation, especially on at
sites. A landscape character and visual impact assessment is being
undertaken as part of the planning application process, which will
assess the areas from where the solar park could be seen and
identify where vegetation screening may need to be enhanced or
introduced.
Does it have to be sunny for the panels to work?
No. Photovoltaic (PV) panels, such as the ones that would be
installed on site if permission were granted, do work better with
bright sunlight, but they can still generate electricity on a cloudy day.
Will the solar farm make a noise?
The only noise that will occur during the operation of the solar farm
is a very low level noise emitted by the inverters. Due to the sites
location, no noise will be audible at residential properties in the area.
What about the impact on the land?
The land on which the solar farm is located can continue to be used
for grazing sheep or as species-rich grassland to improve the
ecology of the site. The solar panel frames can be removed once the
solar farm is decommissioned with no traces left behind.
How long will the panels be there?
Planning permission is sought for the solar farm to be on site for 25
years, after which it would be decommissioned and apparatus
removed.
How will the site be secured?
The site will be secured by fencing and closed-circuit television (CCTV).
How long will the solar farm take to build?
It usually takes around 1-3 months to construct a solar farm from
beginning to commissioning. A construction method statement will
accompany the planning application outlining the envisaged delivery
and construction schedules.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Renewable Energy: Why do we need it?

Why do we need renewable energy?

To tackle climate change, we need to move away from burning
limited fossil fuel reserves to using more sustainable, cleaner,
renewable energy sources.
In 2009, the UK signed up to the European Unions Renewable
Energy Directive which commits the country to delivering 15% of all
energy from renewable sources by 2020.
To meet this target, 35-45% of electricity generated will have to come
from green sources including renewable energy technologies such as
solar, wind, biomass, wave and tidal.
The use of renewable energy is also benecial to the UK economy as
it reduces the countrys dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Why solar energy?
Solar energy is a relatively new renewable energy source in the UK,
but is well established in other countries that have similar amounts of
sunlight, such as Germany.
Solar energy is a safe, established and renewable form of energy
generation which produces no carbon dioxide while operating. It also
enjoys the highest levels of public support for renewable energy in
the UK, with 81% of the public in favour. It is freely and readily
available and will always be so.
Solar farms have a limited landscape and visual impact compared
to other forms of renewable energy and they can be easily screened
from surrounding receptors by planting.
Solar panels are a non-intrusive and benign development - agricultural
activities can continue on the land and the panels can be completely
removed, leaving no legacy on the land. This means that the site can
be returned to its former use after the solar farm has been removed.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 oror visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Homestead Farm: Project Out Line

Where is the proposed solar farm located?

The Solar Building Company are proposing to develop a solar farm at
Homestead Farm between Shaleet & Newbridge (see map
opposite).

There are few residential properties located adjacent to the site and it
is considered that the development can be effectively screened from
surrounding viewpoints

What size will the solar farm be?

It is anticipated that the solar farm will extend to approximately 17 ha
of land at the former quarry site generating approximately 10MWp of
electricity directly from sunlight - equivalent to powering
approximately 2350 homes.

The panels will be mounted on frames and will be circa 2.5 metres
in height at the highest point.

Why this location?

The site has been assessed for its suitability as a solar farm
and has the following positive attributes:

The site has previously been used for grazing

The site is at allowing effective screening with limited views from
the surrounding area
Sufcient separation distances from the development to
surrounding properties
The site is of low sensitivity in terms of landscape and
ecological designations
The availability of the grid connection
Above-average UK solar radiation (see map opposite)

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Viewpoints of proposed solar farm

Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright 2012

All rights reserved.

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com




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For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com
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Viewpoints of proposed solar farm

Building a Solar Future

Building a Solar Future

Viewpoints of proposed solar farm

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For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Viewpoints of proposed solar farm

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com

Building a Solar Future

Sheep grazing

For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our websitewww.thesolarbuilding.com
For further information contact The Solar Building Co Ltd on 01600 891557 or visit our website www.thesolarbuilding.com