The Proposal

BSR’s proposal for Land at New House Farm would deliver the following:

  • A solar development with a total export capacity of up to 18MW. This is the equivalent energy production to powering 4,949 homes every year, resulting in the reduction of 4384 tonnes of CO2 each year being emitted into the atmosphere
  • At least a minimum 60% increase in Biodiversity Net Gain, which far exceeds the Government’s minimum requirement of 10% as set out in the Environment Act 2021
  • BSR will ensure that habitats on site are retained and managed. If there are instances where this is not possible, suitable mitigation will be taken to ensure that there is no detrimental impact
  • An important part of ensuring the energy independence of the United Kingdom and working towards fulfilling the Government’s net zero targets by 2050
  • Generation of Business Rates to the local council – this additional income can be used by the Council to fund Council run services
  • A temporary development with a lifespan of 40 years, which will allow the land to be returned to agricultural use once decommissioned 
  • A Community Benefit Fund to directly support local projects
BSR always seeks to select land of low agricultural grade for its proposals where possible, and the Land at New House Farm site has been classified as grade 3B or less for the entire site – this is not the best and most versatile agricultural land. 
 
The development of solar in this location will also allow the landowner the opportunity for a guaranteed, stable income, supporting the farm’s wider activities for the next 40 years.  Grazing will continue on the site, and there will be reduced overall pressure on the land due to a reduction in livestock, helping to support soil health and maintain the long-term productivity of the fields.
 
The design and layout of the site has taken into consideration the local landscape, topography, and flood risk level, as well as the location of nearby buildings. There are existing poles on site which will serve as our Point of Connection. 
 
The site plan below outlines the development boundaries, including areas reserved for screening and biodiversity & ecological enhancements. The solar panels and associated infrastructure will only occupy 47.6% of the red line boundary.

There are a number of Public Rights of Way that run through the site, many of which may be temporarily rerouted or closed only during the construction period for Health and  Safety reasons.

There is a proposed management plan to maintain these PRoWs at their current width with 1m buffer on each side and vegetation within this buffer kept at a maximum height of 5m.

Where the footpath passes alongside existing hedgerows and tree clumps, branches will be trimmed either side of the path to ensure the pathway remains clear and accessible.

All PRoWs will remain accessible and safe and vegetation management and trimming ensures clear passage alongside solar arrays or natural features.

How does it work?

Solar Panels generate electricity from sunlight. When sunlight strikes the panels, semiconductors within them are activated to produce usable energy. This energy is then converted by an inverter, transferred to a connection point and exported to the National Grid.

In the UK, solar panels are classed as electronic waste under the WEEE Regulations 2013, which means they cannot be sent to landfill. Instead, manufacturers and importers are legally required to ensure that old panels are collected and recycled through approved schemes such as PV CYCLE UK.

Modern recycling processes now recover most of a solar panel’s materials. The glass and aluminium frames are almost fully recyclable, and much of the silicon and metals inside can also be reused to make new panels. There are also specialist recycling facilities in the UK which can recycle up to 95 – 99% of a panel’s materials. This ensures that panels are responsibly managed at the end of their lifespan, supporting both sustainability and circular use of resources.