In December 2021 JBM provided Stroud Council with more information on highway access and landscape impact in response to issues raised through the initial consultation process, and these additional details can be viewed via planning application pages (reference number: 21/0465/FUL) on the Council’s website. Officers are re-consulting until late January as they prepare to report to the Council’s Development Control Committee, hopefully at its mid-February meeting.
INTRODUCING MORETON LANE SOLAR FARM
JBM Solar is proposing a renewable energy scheme on land near Whitminster and Hardwicke, Gloucestershire, GL2 7PN. It is envisaged that Moreton Lane Solar Farm will have a generating capacity of up to 49.9 megawatts. To fully utilise the network connection capacity, the farm will include battery storage which will store energy for times of peak demand. The scheme will support government legislation to decarobinise our energy system and ensure the UK is carbon neutral by 2050.
Due to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we are unable to hold a face to face public consultation event. The COVID-19 pandemic is at the forefront of all decisions that we make, however, we still want to share with you our plans for Moreton Lane Solar Farm. This website has been set-up to do just that, so please feel free to browse the website and use the ‘contact us’ page if you have any questions or wish to make a representation/suggestion.
About JBM Solar
JBM Solar has a proven track record of developing well-designed solar energy scheme throughout the UK and Ireland since 2012. Our development team has secured planning permission for more than 350mw of solar projects to date. We are focused on providing solar electricity, helping to establish a more sustainable, low carbon future.
Where is the site?
The 116ha site is split into two distinct landholdings – the northern parcel is located to the west of the A38 in Moreton Valence, the southern parcel is located c.0.75km to the north-west of Whitminster and c. 1.2km to the north-east of Frampton on Severn. The site falls entirely within the administrative boundary of Stroud District Council.
Why are Solar Farms Important?
The National Infrastructure Committee have advised the government that by 2030, a minimum of 50% of power should come from renewables. A climate change emergency was declared by Telford and Wrekin Council in July 2019 whereby the Council committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Latest government energy statistics reveal that in 2019 fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy supply, accounting for 79.4%. Just 11% of energy consumption came from renewable sources. Increasing the supply of energy by renewable sources represents a significant challenge for the UK.
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In June 2020, the Committee on Climate Change published its Reducing UK Emissions report which provides an annual review of UK progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The report states that energy networks must be strengthened in order to support the electrification of transport and heating. Delivery of renewable energy generation must continue to progress with great urgency in order to meet the UKs next carbon budget. Consistently strong deployment of low-carbon generation is crucial to achieving the Net Zero target.
Why Here?
The site has been carefully selected as part of a detailed feasibility process. Consideration has been given to, amongst other things; grid capacity, solar irradiation, environmental designations, cultural heritage, ecology/biodiversity, flood risk and agricultural quality. Technical studies are reports are still being conducted to ensure that this site is the most appropriate for a solar installation.
Site Assessment
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNATIONS PLAN
Landscape and Visual
There are no landscape features either within or immediately adjacent to the land which have any particular sensitivity that would inhibit the development of a well-designed solar farm at this location. The site is not situated within or near a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), such as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The landscape surrounding the Parcels is predominantly low-lying and almost flat farmland associated with the River Severn floodplain, which prevents far-reaching views. The broadly medium scale landscape is characterised by mixed arable and pasture uses with a scattering of small settlements on locally higher ground linked by a network of local roads. Major infrastructure (road, rail and overhead power lines) crosses the area and has a localised detracting influence as do modern agricultural buildings.
The site boundaries of the northern parcel are formed by well-established hedgerows and tree cover in most places, and in others by hedgerows that have been maintained at a height less than 2m. Parkend Covert and other surrounding woodland screens the northern parcel from views from the north and north-east. There are no PRoW footpaths through or around the boundaries of the northern parcel.
The fields of the southern parcel are separated in most places by dense, mature hedgerow planting, with mature trees sporadically dispersed along the field boundaries. These act to visually separate each field, with boundary vegetation effectively screening inward views of the site. Several public footpaths and bridleways cross the southern parcel – these will be maintained and a suitable buffer provided.
In order to assist with understanding the potential visibility of the scheme from the surrounding landscape, a digital Screened Zone of Theoretical Visibility (SZTV) model has been created and this provides a starting point for visual discussion to illustrate the geographical area within which views of development would be theoretically possible. The models are based on an ‘screened’ scenario whereby the existing screening effect of substantive areas of existing vegetation or built features in the landscape are taken into account (assuming a height of 15m for woodland and 8m for buildings). The ZTV was also modelled at a ’worst case’ maximum panel height of 3m above current ground levels.
Due to the local topography, whereby the area surrounding the land parcels is relatively flat, the greatest effect on visual amenity is likely to be experienced within 2km of the either parcel location. From more distant viewpoints the development would tend be assimilated into the wider landscape and it is considered that there is little potential for the development to result in any significant effects on visual receptors at lower level viewpoints.
Overall, there are no statutory landscape features either within or immediately adjacent to the site which have any particular sensitivity that would inhibit the development of a well-designed solar farm and it would not have a significant effect on the landscape area. At the detailed design stage, JBM will prepare the mitigation strategy, and this will include, amongst other things, an appropriate planting strategy to help mitigate any landscape and visual impacts. These mitigation strategies will be supported by a robust Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, including photomontages as visual evidence.
Agricultural Land Classification
A detailed ALC survey has been undertaken on site that has guided the site selection process to this stage. The ALC survey found that the red line included 100ha of Grade 3b quality and 5ha of Grade 3a quality. The proposed site is therefore not considered ‘best and most versatile land’, as per Annex 2 of the NPPF (2019).
Flood Risk
Ecology and Biodiversity
There are no statutory environmental designations, as defined by the EIA regulations, within the site’s boundaries or within a 1km radius of the site and the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is approximately 2.5k to the east at its nearest point and separated by both the A38 and M5 Motorway.
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The closest environmental designation is the Frampton Pools SSSI, which is located c. 1.2km to the south-west. This is noted as being in a declining and unfavourable state. Beyond that, the Severn Estuary SSSI, Ramsar Site, SPA and SAC is located c.3km to the south-west of the site.
A Phase 1 Habitat Survey has been carried out on site to assess the habitat quality of the area and the potential of the site to support protected species of wildlife. Five ponds were found to be present within and around the site and were accessed and assessed for their suitability to support Great Crested Newts using eDNA analysis. All five ponds were suitable for survey (i.e. not dry) and all five returned negative results.
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It is considered that the proposed solar farm will allow the land to recover from decades of intensive farming. The land on which the panels will sit will be carefully managed to encourage the growth of species-rich meadows that will support local wildlife populations. The proposed landscape and ecological enhancement measures will be maintained in accordance with a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP), which will be submitted to the Council as part of any future planning application.
Cultural Heritage
There are no listed buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) within or immediately adjacent to the site. There are no registered parks and gardens, historic landscapes or conservation areas located within or immediately adjacent to the site. In the wider locality, there are several designated heritage assets, including the Grade I Listed Church of St Andrew, the Grade II* Listed Church of St Andrew, the Grade II* Listed Whitminster House, the Grade II* Listed Hardwicke Court, the Grade II Listed Broadfield Farm, the Grade II Listed Packthrone Farmhouse, and the Stroud Industrial Heritage Conservation Area.
A Heritage Assessment has been carried out on site, and concludes that the proposed development would cause minor harm to the Grade I Listed Church of St Stephen, Grade II* Listed Church of St Andrew and the Grade II* Listed Whitminster House, very minor harm to the Grade II* Listed Hardwicke Court, Grade II Listed Broadfield Farm and Grade II Listed Packthorne Farmhouse, and no harm to the Stroud Industrial Heritage Conservation Area.
Highways and Access
Access to the northern land parcel will be taken directly via the A38 and Castle Lane. The southern land parcel will be accessed via Whitminster Lane. Both access points are currently used frequently by large agricultural vehicles.
During construction / installation of the solar farm, there would be trips associated with the delivery of materials to site and arrivals and departures of construction staff. Construction material deliveries will mainly consist of small to medium HGVs while staff trips will mainly consist of vans.
During construction / installation of the solar farm the proposals would generate an insignificant number of traffic movements along the local highway. If the development is built out through a continuous single phase, it is anticipated the construction period will last approximately three to six months, with piling and frames being installed first and then panels being delivered to the site at a rate of around one lorry load per day during the panel installation phase.
Any future planning application will be accompanied by a Construction Traffic Management Plan, developed in correspondence with the Councils Highways Team, to ensure that construction traffic has a negligible impact on the local highway
The site is in Flood Zone 1, as confirmed by the Environment Agency. Flood Zone 1 has the least risk of flooding.
Moreton Lane Solar Farm Development Proposal
JBM seeks to construct, operate, maintain and the decommission a ground mounted solar farm with a maximum export capacity of 49.9 megawatts.
To utilise the network capacity fully, it is proposed that battery storage is included, this will store surplus energy in order to provide help to the grid during peak consumer usage.
The photovoltaic panels would be laid out in straight arrays. The panels will be installed on a sun-tracking system to ensure optimum energy generation. The distance between the arrays would respond to topography but would typically be between 3.5 metres to 6 metres. The top northern edges of the panels would be approximately 3 metres above ground level and the south lower edges of the panels would be no less than 0.7 metres above ground level. The site would be retained as grassland able to be grazed by sheep.
The point of connection will be within the southern land parcel, where the solar farm will be directly connected to the overhead power cables. A cable route will connect the northern parcel to this point of connection, running along the A38 and Moreton Lane before reaching the southern parcel.
Construction material deliveries will arrive by HGV vehicles, whilst construction staff will arrive via commercial vans. Construction of the scheme will last no longer than 6 months.
There are areas of land within the northern parcel that are assigned for areas of habitat creation, designed to increase the overall biodiversity of the site. This would include a meadow mix of species-rich wildflowers, supporting local invertebrate populations. These measures will be informed by ongoing ecological assessments.
Following the results of our survey work and the feedback from the public consultation, we have updated the site layout which you can see by clicking the link. The key changes include:
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Relocation of some of the inverter stations to be better screened and in a more discreet location
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Removal of panels from the northern and southern parcels to reduce proximity to local residents
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Increased buffers around some of the field borders to encourage wildflower and biodiverse habitats
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Further mitigation planting, which will be detailed in the forthcoming Planting Plan
Following the public consultation, we are pleased to provide an updated layout plan on the link at the bottom of this page. The new layout incorporates changes made in response to comments made by members of the public and the local parish councils. This includes additional planting to improve the screening of the solar farm.
We would welcome any further comments and will continue to liaise with the local community on the designs. Once we have a date for a planning submission we will announce it on the website.
The main benefits of the development proposed are summarised below:
The site would generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent annual energy needs of 15,000 homes, making a significant contribution to local clean power and regional renewable targets.
The scheme would displace the equivalent of 858,280 tonnes of CO2 from equivalent fossil fuel energy generation over the lifespan of 40 years.
The scheme would allow Gloucestershire to continue playing an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with local, national and international targets.
The farm will be subsidy free. Moreton Lane Solar Farm has been designed to be constructed and operated without any government subsidy. Solar is now one of the most cost-effective sources of clean renewable energy in the UK.
The site will be subject to considerable biodiversity and landscape enhancements. Both will be carefully managed with a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan.
The site can be used for grazing throughout the operation of the solar farm and can be returned to its original agricultural use following decommissioning.
The Benefits of Moreton Lane Solar Farm
Contact & Feedback
Please provide any comments you have on the proposal in the text box below. You can also submit comments by email or post using the details provided.
Comments provided by the local community will be taken into account in shaping the final planning application submission.
moretonlanesolarfarm@pegasusgroup.co.uk
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Moreton Lane Solar Farm,
C/O Pegasus Group,
First Floor, South Wing, Equinox North,
Great Park Road, Almondsbury,
Bristol, BS32 4QL