Project
Project
Our planning application proposes the installation of ground-mounted solar panels with a capacity of 46MW of energy, providing enough clean energy to power approximately 14,500 homes. The project also includes a battery storage compound to store excess electricity, as well as a substation and other necessary infrastructure such as inverter stations, fencing and CCTV. Additionally, the application outlines the installation of underground cables to connect the solar farm to the Grantham substation located on Newgate Lane, within Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without Parish.
Site location
The location for the proposed solar farm is 1.5km north of Welby on land at Pasture Farm. Access to the site would be via an existing farm track branching off the B6043 High Dyke. The site is located to the south-east of Heath Lane and RAF Barkston Heath. The B6043 High Dyke runs along the western boundary and the public bridleway from Heath Lane to Quarry Farm runs along the northern boundary.
Click the buttons below for our information sheets on site location, to view a more detailed site plan and for information on the overall biodiversity benefits of the project.
Proposed site layout
Our proposed design for the site reflects our commitment to listen to what’s important in the community and protect the local environment, natural habitat and areas of historic significance.
We are proposing to position the solar panels on land of lower agricultural quality within the site, away from woodland, trees, ponds and areas of archaeological significance. Our initial site layout covered 40 hectares, but we have reduced this to 19 hectares by removing a central field to create a habitat for skylarks. The panels will be arranged in rows spaced 4.5 to 7.5 metres apart and will rotate throughout the day to track the sun for optimal efficiency.
Alongside the solar panels, we will need to construct a battery storage compound, a substation, inverter stations and other facilities like fencing, CCTV and storage and communications equipment at the site. These will all be designed to be as minimally intrusive as possible.
Click here for our more information on the main site layout.
The planning application process and purpose of this consultation
If planning permission is granted, we hope to start construction within three years. Once complete the solar farm would operate for 40 years, generating clean electricity that would be exported to the grid. At the end of this period, all of the site infrastructure will be dismantled and the site returned to agriculture.
The planning application is now available for public viewing online.
Environmental effects and benefits
Extensive survey work has been conducted to gather detailed information about the site ensuring that our plans are considerate of the area and can enhance local habitats and wildlife.
We expect to see a significant biodiversity net gain once the project is operational. Our proposals include planting additional trees and hedgerows to enhance the landscape character and effectively screen the site to minimise visual impact. We also plan to promote species-rich plants and fill in existing gaps in hedgerows.
To support biodiversity, the exclusion of a central field area will allow for the creation of skylark habitats. Grassland areas will be fenced off to protect reptile species, and we will enhance and maintain existing ponds to support amphibian species. Additionally, once the solar farm is operational, sheep grazing will be introduced under the solar panels to help maintain the land.
All construction activities will be managed to minimise the impact of traffic, noise and dust in the surrounding area.
Community Benefits
As part of our commitment to the local community, and to leave a positive legacy, we will establish a Community Benefit Fund. This will offer financial support to local community projects including charities. The fund will be allocated and distributed between Welby Parish and Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without Parish Councils. We welcome suggestions on how this funding could best benefit the local area, so please get in touch with your ideas.
