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Manor Farm Solar Farm Proposal
About prosolia
Prosolia is an Interna onal company opera ng in the renewable energy sector. The company has
grown into one of the most successful solar energy companies in Europe with opera ons in the UK,
Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. Prosolia also has opera ons in Africa and South America.
Prosolia UK was opened just over 2 years ago and already employs 20 full me staﬀ. The company has
completed 4 large ground mounted installa ons with a further 4 totalling 30MW under construc on,
marking it out as one of the UK’s leading solar project developers. This also stands as testament to the
fact that Prosolia is commi ed to ensuring a viable UK supply of renewable energy and reducing our
over-reliance on fossil fuel generated energy.
What is a Solar Farm?
A Solar Farm is a large number of solar PV panels mounted on a structure fixed to the ground, plus the
other equipment such as transformers needed to connect it to the electricity grid. The renewable
electricity generated is exported directly to the electricity network. In the UK, the panels are usually
arranged facing south, and are lted at an angle to maximise the energy collected from sunlight.
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
What is a PV?
PV or Photovoltaic is derived from photo, which means
light, and voltaic, which means electricity. PV cells
convert sunlight into electricity. They are normally made
of silicone, contain no moving parts and produce no
emissions or noise in opera on. A number of cells are
joined together to form a PV panel, usually with a metal
frame and glass surface to protect the cells.
About Manor Farm
Why at Manor Farm?
Prosolia is proposing the solar farm on land at Manor Farm, near to Pertenhall, next to the B660.
Legend
Proposed Site Boundary
Solar Modules
Construc on Track
Construc on Compound
Inverter Cabins
Security Fence
Substation
About the proposed Manor Farm Solar Farm
The solar farm will be made up of approximately 70,000 solar panels. Individual PV solar panels will be
arranged in module units typically made up of around 2 x 11 panels one above another in a portrait
orienta on on a moun ng structure. This will be a metal frame, which is expected to be anchored to
the ground using piles with no concrete founda ons, although other systems could be used if
necessary in some areas to protect buried archaeology. Mul ple module units will be installed in rows,
and mul ple rows connected to form 12 arrays, each with an inverter and transformer sta on. The
inverter and transformer sta ons will in turn be connected to a switchgear and control building where
the site will be connected to the electricity distribu on network.
During construc on of the solar farm, which is expected to take around 12 weeks, a temporary
construc on compound will be needed to provide materials and plant storage, welfare facili es etc.
Once the solar park is built, this compound will be removed and the land fully reinstated to its former
condi on.
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright
and database right 2014.
Site Layout Map
The areas around and under the panels will be
grassed and maintained by grazing sheep, which
ensures con nued agricultural use of the land.
The site was selected because:
• a solar farm at this loca on was an cipated to have rela vely low impact on the local area
• the landowner supports the development
• the orienta on and lack of shading mean there is adequate sunlight
• it is technically and economically viable to connect the site to the electricity grid
• there is good access to the site
The precise loca on of the proposed solar farm has been
modified based on feedback from the public and the
Local Planning Authority, in order to further reduce its
visual eﬀects.
Legend
Proposed Site Boundary
Former Site (October 2013)
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey
on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and
database right 2014. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017839
Map showing previous locaƟon and modified locaƟon
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
PV panels typically have a design life of around 25
years. Therefore, the solar farm would be operated
for 25 years from commissioning, a er which it
would be decommissioned and the site returned to
its former use. Any extension beyond this period
would need a further planning permission.
Community Benefit
As part of its standard approach, Prosolia would
propose paying a sum towards a community
benefit. It is expected that this would be paid to
the local community council(s), for the benefit of
the local community. Prosolia would welcome your
feedback on how such a fund should be used.
Environmental Assessment
The need for Renewable Energy
There is clear, scien fic evidence that global warming is driving climate change across the planet. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change established in its’ Fi h Report on Climate Change that it
is “unequivocal” that the earth’s climate is warming due to human ac vity.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are one of the major causes for the increase in global temperatures
and about a third of the UK’s total CO2 emissions arise from the genera on of electricity from fossil
fuels. There is therefore a clear need to move to other forms of energy produc on such as solar PV
that can start to replace conven onal ways of genera ng energy.
The installed capacity of the solar farm is predicted to be 15 MWp, and the electricity generated
equivalent to the consump on of approximately 3,100 East of England households*
* based on a 15MWp solar farm, with esƟmated generaƟon for solar at this locaƟon of 945MWh/MWp/year, giving total generaƟon of 14,175MWh/y,
and DECC 2012 average household energy consumpƟon figures for the relevant region (East of England) of 4529Wh/y.
“There is clear, scienƟfic evidence
that global warming is driving
climate change across the planet”
About Dulas Ltd
Prosolia has brought in Dulas to assist with consulta on and planning requirements for the solar farm.
Dulas brings together over 30 years’ experience, skills and knowledge in the renewable energy sector
on the design, environmental aspects and planning needs for a range of renewable energy schemes.
Dulas, along with a number of other specialists in various aspects of Environmental Assessment, have
considered the poten al eﬀects of the solar farm to assist in its design. This panel summarises some
of the main findings of the Environmental Assessments undertaken to date.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
The archaeology and cultural heritage assessment considers poten al eﬀects to buried archaeological
features on the site, and also visual or ‘se ng’ eﬀects on listed buildings, scheduled monuments and
other designated heritage assets around the site. The assessment draws on historical records, and on
new surveys of the site.
There are no designated archaeological features on the site.
A detailed geophysical survey has been undertaken to iden fy and create maps of subsurface
archaeological features. Geophysical instruments can detect buried features when their physical
proper es contrast measurably with their surroundings. The results of the survey have not yet been
fully analysed, but they will be used to inform any further inves ga ons such as trial trenching on the
site.
The design may be adapted to use concrete gravity
ballast bases, which sit above ground, rather than piles
in certain areas. This may be necessary to avoid
damage to buried archaeological remains iden fied by
the geophysical survey or other fieldwork.
Installed Capacity
at Manor Farm
predicted to be
15MWp
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
Equivalent
Electricity for
3,100
households*
Work assessing ‘se ng’ is not yet finalised, but it is
expected that the new and improved hedgerows
proposed will help minimise eﬀects, as does the
reloca on of the solar farm onto lower lying ground.
Environmental Assessment
Landscape and Visual Assessment
The landscape and visual impact assessment considers the poten al eﬀects of the proposed solar farm
on landscape character as well as the visual amenity of surrounding proper es and users of footpaths,
bridleways and roads in the vicinity of the site.
506000
508000
Application site boundary
3 km
³
l
Viewpoint locations
!
ZTV after landscaping scheme
Potential visibility of development
266000
266000
Higher potential visibility
Lower potential visibility
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6
264000
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Photomontage from the B660, heading South near College CoƩages
5
264000
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l!
1
³
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Viewpoint 3
4
The Zone of Theoretical Visibility ZTV is based on GIS
analysis using NEXTMap 5m Digital Surface Model (DSM).
OS Grid Reference :
508272 264710
Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm
(when viewed at A3)
This ZTV analysis includes screening features of the
proposed landscaping scheme to calculate the potential view
of the proposed development from within the study area.
³
l
³
l!
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!
0.25
8
262000
0
PROJECT:
0.25
0.5
DATE:
SCALE:
508000
1
510000
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Pertenhall Solar Farm
Zone of Theoretical Visibility
(after landscaping)
1
Kilometres
504000
506000
© Landscape Science Consultancy Ltd. Reproduced under OS licence: AL100014007
0.5
Kilometres
262000
7
0
TITLE:
Zone of TheoreƟcal Visibility Map
OS Grid Reference :
509178 265687
Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm
(when viewed at A3)
KEY
l!
This image shows the ZTV analysis which
includes screening features of the
proposed landscaping scheme to
calculate the poten al view of the
proposed development from within the
study area.
Viewpoint 2
510000
!
As part of the assessment, a Zone of
Theore cal Visibility (ZTV) model has
been calculated. This uses computer
so ware to determine which areas
theore cally have a view the solar farm.
504000
Photomontage from public right of way towards Hoo Farm
February 2014
FIGURE NO:
1:25,000
06
Photomontage views of the proposed solar farm from selected viewpoints also provide a useful tool
for the assessment, and show how exis ng screening by trees and hedges may reduce visibility of the
solar park. The majority of proper es around the site will have views largely screened by intervening
vegeta on. One of the key outputs from the assessment is the defini on of proposed new plan ng of
hedgrows or trees to provide further screening, whilst remaining consistent with the exis ng
landscape character. Such screening inevitably takes some me to mature, so the visual eﬀects
considered in the assessment vary over me. Once the addi onal plan ng proposed is established, it
would help minimise visual eﬀects to local proper es, public rights of way and other receptors.
Photomontage from the B660 heading North
Viewpoint 4
OS Grid Reference :
508007 263919
Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm
(when viewed at A3)
Photomontage showing views along the B660
Viewpoint 5
OS Grid Reference :
508116 264218
Recommended Viewing Distance: 300mm
(when viewed at A3)
Further photomontages are available to view separately at this exhibi on.
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
Environmental Assessment
Ecology and Nature ConservaƟon
Ecology surveys and assessments are being undertaken to iden fy any poten al eﬀects of the solar
park on nature conserva on. This work draws on ecological records and new surveys of the site.
The solar panels, transformers, cabling etc. will be on arable land. The site has no known ecological
designa ons and is not considered to have any sensi ve characteris cs. Ini al results from the surveys
have not iden fied any sensi ve ecology on site. However, the assessment is expected to recommend
that construc on works commence outside bird and hare breeding seasons, or that the site is
re-checked immediately prior to works star ng, so that disturbance can be avoided. It is also expected
to recommend that any ligh ng during construc on or opera on is designed to avoid disturbance to
bats using trees and hedge lines around the site.
It is expected that the solar farm will not result in any significant ecological eﬀects. Measures such as
addi onal hedgerow plan ng, which would use na ve species, will result in enhancement to the
ecology of the site overall. In addi on, further ecological enhancement measures such as bat and bird
boxes and reseeding the site with grass and wildflower seed mixes will improve biodiversity.
Example of
Bat and Bird Boxes
Flood Risk Assessment
A full flood risk assessment has been completed for the
proposed solar farm. The site lies within the Environment
Agency’s Flood Risk Zone 1, which indicates it is not at risk of
flooding from rivers. The assessment also shows that the site
should not be at significant risk of flooding due to other
factors such as ground water.
Since the areas under and between the panels will be grass
surfaced, they will allow water to permeate as it does
currently. Exis ng drainage ditches will be maintained and
there will be no change to surface water runoﬀ from the site.
Therefore the solar park would not cause any increase in
flood risk away from the site.
Map showing proposed landscaping features
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
AddiƟonal Studies
Access
Access to the solar farm will be via an exis ng
entrance oﬀ the B660 to the east of the site and
exis ng tracks will be used to provide access for
construc on and opera on of the solar farm and
therefore it is an cipated that no new tracks will
be required. The exis ng entrance is of a good
standard and oﬀers safe visibility for vehicles
exi ng onto the B660.
Photo showing exisƟng entrance
During construc on, which is expected to last
around 12 weeks, all heavy commercial vehicles
will approach the site on defined routes agreed
with the Local Highway Authority. These routes
will use only A and B roads and could approach
site along the B660 either from the A14 to the
north, from Bedford to the south or from the A1
and B645 to the east.
It is expected that an average of 6 HGV
movements (3 arrivals and 3 departures from site)
and 28 movements of light vehicles per day will be
needed during construc on. Based on the exis ng
nature and use of the local road network, this
addi onal traﬃc is not expected to have any
material impact. Traﬃc during the construc on
period would be controlled by a Construc on
Traﬃc Management Plan, designed to minimise
the impact of construc on ac vity on the local
highway network.
Once the site is opera onal, it would be managed
remotely and only occasional visits, normally by a
4x4 vehicle or van, would be needed.
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
Grid ConnecƟon
The electricity generated by the solar
farm will be exported to the grid, with
the connec on point expected to be
near Stonely. New underground cabling
will be needed to connect to this point
following a route along the B660
(avoiding Hatchet Lane), which has
been designed to minimise local
disrup on whilst providing the shortest
and thus most eﬃcient connec on. No
road closures will be required and no
overhead cabling will be used.
Public Rights of Way
There is a bridleway along the boundary of the site, and a footpath passing through the site area.
During construc on, the bridleway will remain open for use; a banksman will ensure that delivery
vehicles can use those parts needed to access the site, whilst ensuring public safety for walkers and
horse riders. It may be necessary to temporarily close the footpath through the site area, in which case
a suitable diversion will be agreed with the council and clearly signed. It may be possible to keep this
footpath open for part or all of construc on, with suitable fencing and use of a banksman at crossings.
Hedgerows would be planted to provide
addi onal screening to the footpath
and bridleway. Styles and a small
footbridge along the footpath would be
improved to ensure good public access.
Prosolia is also proposing to provide a
small viewing area with informa on on
the solar farm and its contribu on to
renewable energy genera on, which
could be used by the public and for
educa onal purposes.
Map showing public rights of way
Public ConsultaƟon
Timescales
A planning applicaƟon will be submiƩed in Spring 2014. The Local Planning Authority will consult with
local people and interested parƟes on the applicaƟon. Planning applicaƟons of this scale should
normally be decided within 13 weeks, unless the planners ask for further informaƟon to aid the
decision. The intended Ɵmescales for the project are:
How to comment
The team at Prosolia is keen to hear your views and answer your quesƟons at this event. If you would
like to leave comments in wriƟng, you can use the quesƟonnaires provided or alternaƟvely visit the
project website at manorfarmsolar.co.uk
Once a planning applicaƟon has been submiƩed, you may also wish to make comments directly to the
Local Planning Authority.
Pre-Planning ConsultaƟons (including this informaƟon day): February 2014
Finalise Proposed Design: March 2014
RegistraƟon of Planning ApplicaƟon: Spring 2014
Planning Decision: Summer 2014
ConstrucƟon (if approved): Autumn 2014
www.manorfarmsolar.co.uk
Bedford Borough Council
Planning Services Department
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
[email protected]