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26
May
Developer responds to concerns over Harrogate village solar farm
An energy company behind the proposal to build a solar farm in Weeton has responded to public concerns about the plans.
The Stray Ferret recently reported that an action group had been established online to protest against the plans to build a 35-hectare photovoltaic farm in the area, with at least 126 people signing up.
Concerns surrounding the impact on biodiversity, agriculture, industrialisation and the landscape were all raised.
Abei Energy is a Spain-based renewable energy company that specialises in producing clean energy using wind and solar power.
We contacted the firm earlier this week and put the issues that had been raised by the founder of the Stop Weeton Solar Farm group to them.
The company has produced the following responses.
Biodiversity
Abei Energy says that it is committed to “environmental stewardship and long-term ecological enhancement”.
It said:
The Juniper site has been carefully designed to deliver a measurable Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), comfortably exceeding the mandatory 10% uplift required by national and local policy. Preliminary assessments suggest we are on course to achieve a BNG of approximately 50%, subject to final confirmation by our ecological consultants.
Native tree and hedgerow planting, wildflower meadow creation, and the installation of ecological features such as bird boxes and woodpiles were all given as plans to achieve this. Existing habitats will be maintained, the company said.
The firm also noted that there has been significant research undertaken into the impact of solar farms on the biodiversity of a local area, many of which have found several benefits.
It provided a document that shows the ecological impact of solar farms in the UK, which you can find here.
Agriculture
The energy firm said the land proposed for the development of the project was classified as Grade 4 under the Agricultural Land Classification system.
This categorises the land as of lower agricultural quality and not considered "Best and Most Versatile" land for farming.
The company said:
While it is not typically used for intensive food production, the proposals will retain agricultural activity through sheep grazing beneath and around the solar panels. This allows the land to remain productive during the lifetime of the project.
It also emphasised that, as it is only a temporary development, the site can be fully restored for agricultural use at the end of its operational life.
Industrialisation
The company reiterated the fact that the development is only on a temporary 40-year basis.
It said:
Once operational, the site will require only occasional visits (approximately two per month). Unlike traditional industrial developments, the land will retain its rural character and agricultural use through sheep grazing, with the site returned to its original condition after the 40-year operational period.
Landscape
In its statement, Abei Energy was keen to note that the development has undergone a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) in its planning process.
Measures introduced to minimise visual effects include:
- Retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows and tree lines
- Planting of native species to provide effective visual screening
- Maintaining a wide buffer from public rights of way
- Locating infrastructure sensitively, away from key viewpoints
The company said:
These features aim to integrate the development into the surrounding environment and safeguard the landscape character of the area. The LVIA concludes that the landscape and visual effects of the scheme will be localised and appropriately mitigated.
A planning application has not yet been submitted for this proposal.
The company says that other factors such as landscape impact and heritage impact, biodiversity, soil management and socioeconomic benefits are also considerations in determining planning applications and need to be navigated.
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