Solar power and solar parks in East Suffolk
There are currently two main planning applications for 'Solar Parks' in East Suffolk. We have been contacted both by the developer seeking our support, and by some local residents who object to them or have significant concerns.
The two applications are both for 21MWp solar photovoltaic (PV). Both sites lie immediately east of the A12 between Woodbridge and Yoxford – one at Town Farm, Kelsale and the other at Park Farm, Loudham.
The proposed development at Town Farm covers 29 hectares, and is described by the developer (BSR Energy) as follows:
"Erection of a 21 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array on land at land at Town Hall Lane, Kelsale cum Carlton, comprising ground mounted solar PV panels, vehicular access from the existing site entrance with internal access tracks, landscaping and associated infrastructure including security fencing, CCTV cameras, client storage containers and grid connection infrastructure, including transformer and substation buildings"
The site is located south of Town Farm Lane, within open countryside and 350m east of the A12. The surrounding area is mainly rural, consisting of agricultural land separated by boundary hedgerows, areas of woodland located along parts of the eastern and southern boundaries, and a small number of farms and isolated dwellings.
The development at Park Farm covers 37 hectares and is proposed by the same developer and described in similar terms:
"Erection of a 21 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array on land at Park Farm, Loudham to the east of the A12, comprising ground mounted solar PV panels, vehicular access from Loudham Hall Road with internal access tracks, landscaping and associated infrastructure including security fencing, CCTV cameras, and grid connection infrastructure including inverter and substation buildings".
Our view
The Climate Emergency requires significant utility scale development of solar power on greenfield sites, as well as on domestic and commercial roofs. Green Party policy supports this while favouring community energy schemes that can deliver tangible local benefits as well.
There should be a District or County level plan for the delivery of solar power at the scale needed across residential, commercial and utility scale sites. The applicant considers that the proposed sites are not located in areas of high landscape or baseline biodiversity values, but there are significant local objections on the grounds of landscape and visual detriment, particularly at the Park Farm site, which is in a rural river valley considered by the Planning Authority to be a valued landscape.
Consideration should be given to seeking local cash grants from developers in the absence of any obligation to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy. The developer's claims for very large biodiversity gains are largely based on the conversion of cereal crop land to 'lowland meadow'. This should result in increased diversity of plant species, invertebrates, animals and birds.
