Key considerations

VISUAL IMPACT

Panels are to be located on undeveloped land within a landscape context that does not present extensive or sensitive longer distance views of the site. The broadly level topography of the site and its surroundings informs this, alongside the limited extent of views presented from public vantage points, which are largely limited to its westernmost aspects.

The site benefits from dense boundary planting to most aspects, whilst the large woodland area directly to its north provides direct and extensive screening from this aspect. The scheme will retain and enhance these existing screening features, acting to limit where possible its visual impact to specific, localised viewpoints (principally the single-track road to the west of the site). Any longer-range views of the site are likely to be very limited based on topography and surrounding land levels.

Solar PV panel units associated with the development will also be offset from sensitive site boundaries including the woodland block to the north with appropriate buffer zones. Furthermore, the inclusion of additional landscape mitigation measures where necessary in the form of infill planting, new hedgerows etc. can be secured during the planning process to further limit these impacts, such that the development would be obscured and screened to a greater degree from almost all aspects.

HIGHWAYS

The access point for the solar farm is proposed from Heydon Road and this will be agreed in discussion with the Highways Authority. 

The site location means that construction vehicles can easily access the site via the B1149. This means that no HGVs will pass through local villages or hamlets such as Cawston, Southgate, Eastgate or Heydon.

BIODIVERSITY

A minimum of 10% net gain in biodiversity will be achieved on site and early indications are that it will be much greater. This will support and enhance habitats on the site. Moreover, there will be no loss of trees as a result of this proposal.

The proposal to plant species-rich grassland with wildflower margins will create new homes for nature and give a much-needed boost to Britain’s beleaguered pollinators. The supplementation of existing vegetation and hedgerows will also see native planting delivered as part of the proposal.

The team is also exploring further measures to allow local wildlife to thrive, including new bird and bat boxes and reptile hibernacula in surrounding habitats.

A full Ecological Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment (BNG) will be submitted at the application stage which will inform the final site layout to reflect their findings and, where necessary, mitigation measures will be identified and implemented.

HERITAGE

The site is not located within a Conservation Area. While it does lie directly adjacent to the Heydon and Salle Conservation Area, there would be no direct loss to the features and characteristics of the Conservation Area itself as a result of the development.

The site lies within immediate proximity of a single Grade II listed building in the form of Beerhouse Farmhouse immediately adjacent to the eastern site boundary. Importantly, no loss to the physical historic fabric or character of this building, which lies outside of the development boundary would be generated by the development.

Whilst other Listed Buildings, namely Cherry Tree Farm and the Dog Lodges to Heydon Park are positioned around 650m and 500m west and north of the site boundary respectively, their separation from the site is such that no potential impacts upon their setting and thus special historic and architectural significance would be generated by the proposal.

FLOOD RISK

The majority of the site is located within Flood Zone 1 and is not identified as being at risk from flooding. A small section of the site that runs north to south across its boundary falls within Flood Zone 3. This area will be excluded from primary built form (Solar PV units) and will not be developed in terms of any buildings or other structures.

DECOMMISSIONING

At the end of its expected 42-year life, all elements of the scheme would be fully decommissioned and removed from the site. The detailed decommissioning arrangements would be controlled by a condition imposed on any future planning permission requiring the submission and approval of a Decommissioning Method Statement (DMS) 6 months prior to the use ceasing. Typically, a DMS includes:

  • Details of the removal of the panels and all associated structures and fencing from the site and a timetable for their removal.

  • A traffic management plan.

  • An environmental management plan to include measures to be taken during the decommissioning period to protect wildlife and habitats.

  • Full details of the proposed restoration of the site including a site wide restoration and aftercare scheme.

  • Details of the recycling and disposal of the decommissioned elements.

The condition requires that the site be decommissioned in accordance with the DMS within 12 months.

At the end of their useful life, the solar panels are recycled in line with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations by Grupotec’s chosen recycling partner.

The project is completely reversible, and all aspects can be fully removed. After decommissioning, farming can continue, with soil quality having been improved.